LB 


SB    ED 


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GIFT  OF 


Rhode    Island     Education    Circulars 


LAWS    OF    RHODE    ISLAND 
RELATING   TO   EDUCATION 


IN    FORCE  JANUARY    FIRST 
1910 


DEPARTMENT   OF    EDUCATION 

STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND 
1910 


Rhode    Island      Education    Circulars 

LAWS    OF    RHODE    ISLAND 
RELATING   TO   EDUCATION 


BEING  EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  CONSTITUTION, 
GENERAL  LAWS,  REVISION  OF  1909,  and  PUBLIC 
LAWS  of  the  STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND,  PROVID- 
ING FOR  STATE  AND  LOCAL  SUPPORT  AND 
CONTROL  OF  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS,  PUBLIC  LIBRA- 
RIES, and  OTHER  EDUCATIONAL  INSTITUTIONS 


IN    FORCE  JANUARY    FIRST 
1910 


COMPILED     BY 

WALTER    E.    RANGER 

Commissioner  of  Public  Schools 


PROVIDENCE 

E.     L.     FREEMAN      COMPANY,     STATE     PRINTERS 
1910 


1 V 


CONTENTS. 


PART  I.     EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  CONSTITUTION  OF  RHODE^ISLAND. 

PART  II.     TITLE  X,  OF  THE  GENERAL  LAWS  OF  RHODE  ISLAND, 

REVISION  OF  1909,  OF  PUBLIC  INSTRUCTION. 
CHAPTER  63.     Of  the  board  of  education. 
CHAPTER  64.     Of  the  commissioner  of  public  schools. 
CHAPTER  65.     Of  the  appropriation  for  public  schools. 
CHAPTER  66.     Of  the  powers  and  duties  of  towns  and  of  the  town  treasurer  and 

town  clerk,  relating  to  public  schools. 

CHAPTER  67.     Of  the  powers  and  duties  of  school  committees. 
CHAPTER  68.     Of  teachers. 

CHAPTER  69.     Of  the  pensioning  of  school  teachers  in  this  state. 
CHAPTER  70.     Of  legal  proceedings  relating  to  public  schools. 
CHAPTER  71.     Of  the  normal  school,  teachers'  institutes  and  lectures. 
CHAPTER  72.     Of  truant  children  and  of  the  attendance  of  children  in  the  public 

schools. 

CHAPTER  73.     General  provisions  relating  to  public  schools. 
CHAPTER  74.     General  provisions  to  secure  a  more  uniform  high  standard,  in  the 

public  schools  of  this  state. 

CHAPTER  75.     Of  enabling  towns  to  condemn  land  for  school  purposes. 
CHAPTER  76.     Of  the  Rhode  Island  College,  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts. 
CHAPTER  77.     Of  state  beneficiaries  at  the  Rhode  Island  School  of  Design. 
CHAPTER  78.     Of  factory  inspection. 

PART  III.     MISCELLANEOUS  PROVISIONS  OF  THE  GENERAL  LAWS, 
REVISION  OF  1909,  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 

CHAPTER  32.     Of  the  construction  of  statutes. 
CHAPTER  40.     Of  the  permanent  school  fund. 
CHAPTER  41.     Of  the  public  records. 


247910 


4  " '  'CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  46.  Of  the  powers  of  ...     towns.     (Schools  and  libraries.) 

CHAPTER  53.  Of  the  establishment  and  control  of  free  public  libraries  by  towns . 

CHAPTER  56.  Of  property  liable  to,  and  exempt  from,  taxation. 

CHAPTER  59.  Of  assessing  and  collecting  poll  taxes.     (Applied  to  schools.) 

CHAPTER  100.  Of  provision  for  the  education  of  deaf,  blind,   and  imbecile 

children. 

CHAPTER  101.  Of  the  Rhode  Island  Institute  for  the  Deaf. 

CHAPTER  102.  Of  the  State  Home  and  School  for  Children. 

CHAPTER  103.  Of  the  establishment,  maintenance,  management  and  control 

of  the  Rhode  Island  School  for  the  Feeble-Minded. 

CHAPTER  123.  Of  the  suppression  of  intemperance. 

CHAPTER  129.  Of  protection  to  life  from  fire  in  certain  buildings. 

CHAPTER  131.  Of  diminishing  danger  to  life  in  case  of  fire. 

CHAPTER  135.  Of  dogs  (license  fees  applied  to  schools). 

CHAPTER  201.  Of  bills  of  exchange  and  promissory  notes,  and  of  legal  interest 

(legal  holidays). 

CHAPTER  212.  Of  incorporation. 

CHAPTER  344.  Of  offences  against  the  public  peace  and  property. 

CHAPTER  345.  Of  offences  against  private  property. 

CHAPTER  349.  Of  offences  against  public  policy. 

PART  IV.     PUBLIC  LAWS,  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION,  ENACTED  IN 

1909. 

CHAPTER  383.  Of  the  Rhode  Island  State  College. 

CHAPTER  401.  Of  the  pensioning  of  school  teachers  in  this  state. 

CHAPTER  417.  Of  the  Rhode  Island  State  College. 

CHAPTER  431.  Of  offences  against  the  person. 

CHAPTER  446.  Of  high  schools. 

CHAPTER  458.  Of  teachers. 


PART   I, 


EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  CONSTITUTION  OF 
RHODE  ISLAND. 


ARTICLE  I. 
DECLARATION  OF  RIGHTS. 
SECTION 

2.  Object  of  government. — How  laws 

should  be  made  and  burdens  dis- 
tributed. 

3.  Religious  freedom  secured. 

ARTICLE  IX. 
QUALIFICATIONS  FOR  OFFICE. 
SECTION 

1.     Qualified  electors  only  eligible. 


ARTICLE  XII. 
EDUCATION. 


SECTION 


1.  Duty  of  general  assembly  to  pro- 

mote public  schools,  etc. 

2.  The  permanent  public  school  fund. 

3.  Donations    for    support    of    public 

schools. 

4.  Powers  of  general  assembly  under 

this  article. 


PREAMBLE. 

WE,  the  people  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  and  Provi-  Preamble, 
dence  Plantations,  grateful  to  Almighty  God  for  the  civil  and 
religious  liberty  which  He  hath  so  long  permitted  us  to  enjoy, 
and  looking  to  Him  for  a  blessing  upon  our  endeavors  to  secure 
and  to  transmit  the  same  unimpaired  to  succeeding  genera- 
tions, do  ordain  and  establish  this  constitution  of  government. 

ARTICLE  I. 

Declaration  of  Certain  Constitutional  Rights  and  Principles. 

In  order  effectually  to  secure  the  religious  and  political  free-  Declaration, 
dom  established  by  our  venerated  ancestors,  and  to  preserve 
the  same  for  our  posterity,  we  do  declare  that  the  essential  and 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


Objects  of  free 
governments. 
How  laws 
should  be 
made. 


Religious  free- 
dom secured. 


unquestionable  rights  and  principles  hereinafter  mentioned  shall 
be  established,  maintained  and  preserved,  and  shall  be  of  para- 
mount obligation  in  all  legislative,  judicial,  and  executive  pro- 
ceedings. 

SECTION  2.  All  free  governments  are  instituted  for  the  pro- 
tection, safety  and  happiness  of  the  people.  All  laws,  therefore, 
should  be  made  for  the  good  of  the  whole;  and  the  burdens  of 
the  state  ought  to  be  fairly  distributed  among  its  citizens. 

SEC.  3.  Whereas  Almighty  God  hath  created  the  mind  free; 
and  all  attempts  to  influence  it  by  temporal  punishments  or 
burdens,  or  by  civil  incapacitations,  tend  to  beget  habits  of  hy- 
pocrisy and  meanness;  and  whereas  a  principal  object  of  our 
venerable  ancestors,  in  their  migration  to  this  country  and  their 
settlement  of  this  state,  was,  as  they  expressed  it,  to  hold  forth 
a  lively  experiment,  that  a  flourishing  civil  state  may  stand  and 
be  best  maintained  with  full  liberty  in  religious  concernments: 
we,  therefore,  declare  that  no  man  shall  be  compelled  to  fre- 
quent or  to  support  any  religious  worship,  place,  or  ministry 
whatever,  except  in  fulfillment  of  his  own  voluntary  contract ;. 
nor  enforced,  restrained,  molested,  or  burdened  in  his  body  or 
goods;  nor  disqualified  from  holding  any  office;  nor  otherwise 
suffer  on  account  of  his  religious  belief;  and  that  every  man  shall 
be  free  to  worship  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  his  own  con- 
science, and  to  profess  and  by  argument  to  maintain  his  opin- 
ion in  matters  of  religion ;  and  that  the  same  shall  in  no  wise  di- 
minish, enlarge,  or  affect  his  civil  capacity. 


ARTICLE  IX. 

Of  Qualifications  for  Office. 
Qualified  SECTION  1.     No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  any  civil  office, 

electors  only 

eligible.  (except  the  office  of  school  committee),  unless  he  be  a  quali- 

fied elector  for  such  office. 


FROM    THE    CONSTITUTION    OF    RHODE    ISLAND.  7 

ARTICLE  XII. 

Of  Education. 
SECTION  1.     The  diffusion  of  knowledge,  as  well  as  of  virtue,  Duty  of  the 

1     general  as- 

among  the  people,  being  essential  to  the  preservation  of  their  mSepubiS"*" 
rights  and  liberties,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  assembly  ucation.and 
to  promote  public  schools,  and  to  adopt  all  means  which  they 
may  deem  necessary  and  proper  to  secure  to  the  people  the 
advantages  and  opportunities  of  education. 

SEC.  2.     The  money  which  now  is  or  which  may  hereafter  The  permanent 

public  school 

be  appropriated  by  law  for  the  establishment  of  a  permanent  fund- 
fund  for  the  support  of  public  schools,  shall  be  securely  in- 
vested, and  remain  a  perpetual  fund  for  that  purpose. 

SEC.  3.     All  donations  for  the  support  of  public  schools,  or  Donations  for 

support  of 

for  other  purposes  of  education,  which  may  be  received  by  the  Public  schools. 
general  assembly,  shall  be  applied  according  to  the  terms  pre- 
scribed by  the  donors. 

SEC.    4.     The  general  assembly  shall  make  all  necessary  pro-  p™**\  of  the 
visions  by  law  for  carrying  this  article  into  effect.     They  shall  th™blrtiTeder 
not  divert  said  money  or  fund  from  the   aforesaid  uses,  nor 
borrow,  appropriate,  or  use  the  same,  or  any  part  thereof,  for 
any  other  purpose,  Under  any  pretence  whatsoever. 


PART   II. 


TITLE  X  OF  THE  GENERAL  LAWS, 
OF  PUBLIC  INSTRUCTION. 


Gen.   Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  51. 
13  R.  I.  454. 


Constitution 
and  duty  of  the 
board. 
22  R.  I.  658. 


Division  and 
term  of  office  of 
members. 


CHAPTER  63. 

Of  the  Board  of  Education. 


SECTION 

1.  Board    of    education,    how    consti- 

tuted, and  duties  of. 

2.  How  divided,  and  term  of  office  of 

members. 

3.  Vacancies,  how  filled. 

4.  Officers  of  the  board. 

5.  To    hold  quarterly  meetings,   and 

prescribe  rules. 

6.  Appropriation  for  free  public  libra- 

ries. 

7.  Board  to  prescribe   conditions   on 

which  libraries  may  receive  aid. 

8.  Travelling  libraries,  how  established. 


SECTION 

9.     Payments,  how  to  be  made. 

10.  Annual  reports  by  officers  of  schools^ 

receiving  state  aid. 

11.  Private  schools  are  to  be  registered. 

12.  Registers  and  blanks. 

13.  Chapter  101  unaffected. 

14.  Annual  report. 

15.  Members    and    secretary    of    state 

board  of  education  to  be  paid 
necessary  expenses  incurred  in 
discharge  of  official  duties. 

16.  Provision  for  the  instruction  of  adult 

blind  residents  of  this  state. 


SECTION  1.  The  general  supervision  and  control  of  the  public 
schools  of  the  state,  with  such  high  schools,  normal  schools  and 
normal  institutes,  as  are  or  may  be  established  and  maintained 
wholly  or  in  part  by  the  state,  shall  be  vested  in  a  state  board  of 
education,  which  shall  consist  of  the  governor  and  the  lieutenant- 
governor,  as  members  by  virtue  of  their  office,  and  of  one  other 
member  from  each  of  the  counties  of  the  state,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  Providence  county,  which  shall  have  two  other  members. 
The  board  of  education  shall  elect  the  commissioner  of  public 
schools. 

SEC.  2.  The  members  of  the  board  of  education  shall  con- 
tinue to  be  divided  into  three  classes,  and  to  hold  their  offices 
until  the  terms  for  which  they  were  respectively  elected  shall 
have  expired. 


BOARD    OF    EDUCATION.  9 

SEC.  3.     Two  members  of  the  board  of  education  shall  be  Y,tc5ncies-  how 

ruled. 

elected  annually  by  the  general  assembly  in  grand  committee,  at  j^^Too?9' 
the  January  session,  from  the  counties  represented  on  the  board 
by  the  members  whose  terms  of  office  will  next  expire  to  succeed 
such  members.  The  members  so  elected  shall  hold  their  offices 
until  the  first  day  of  February  in  the  third  year  after  their 
election.  Any  vacancy  which  may  occur  in  said  board  shall  be 
filled  by  the  general  assembly  for  any  unexpired  term  by  the 
election  of  some  person  from  the  county  then  lacking  its  repre- 
sentation on  said  board. 

SEC.  4.     The  governor  shall  be  president,  and  the  commis-  officers, 
sioner  of  public  schools  shall  be  secretary  of  the  board  of  educa- 
tion. 

SEC.  5.  The  board  of  education  shall  hold  quarterly  meet-  Meetings, 
ings  in  the  first  week  of  March,  June,  September  and  December 
of  each  year,  at  the  office  of  the  commissioner  of  public  schools, 
and  may  hold  special  meetings  at  the  call  of  the  president  or 
secretary.  They  shall  prescribe,  and  cause  to  be  enforced,  all 
rules  and  regulations  necessary  for  carrying  into  effect  the  laws 
in  relation  to  public  schools. 

SEC.  6.     The  board  of  education  may  cause  to  be  paid  an-  Free  public 
nually  to  and  for  the  use  of  each  free  public  library  established  be  aided, 
and  maintained  in  the  state,  and  to  be  expended  in  the  purchase 
of  books  therefor,  a  sum  not  exceeding  fifty  dollars  for  the  first 
five  hundred  volumes  included  in  such  library,  and  twenty-five 
dollars   for  every   additional   five   hundred   volumes  therein: 
Provided,  that  the  annual  payment  for  the  benefit  of  any  one 
such  library  shall  not  exceed  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars. 

SEC.  7.     The  board  of  education  shall  from  time  to  time  estab-  B°Fd  to  pre- 
scribe condi- 

lish  rules  prescribing  the  character  of  the  books  which  shall  con-  }£»!?£  mjyh 
stitute  such  a  library  as  will  be  entitled  to  the  benefits  conferred 
by  the  preceding  section,  regulating  the  management  of  such 
library  so  as  to  secure  the  free  use  of  the  same  to  the  people  of 
the  town  and  neighborhood  in  which  it  shall  be  established,  and 


10  LAWS   RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

directing  the  mode  in  which  the  sums  paid  in  pursuance  of  this 
chapter  shall  be  expended.  No  library  shall  receive  any  benefit 
under  the  foregoing  provisions,  unless  such  rules  shall  have  been 
complied  with  by  those  in  charge  thereof,  nor  until  they  shall 
have  furnished  to  said  board  satisfactory  evidence  of  the  num- 
ber and  character  of  the  books  contained  in  said  library. 

board  of  education  is  hereby  authorized  and 


ed  andmain-h~  empowered  to  establish  and  maintain  a  system  of  travelling 
Pub.  Laws,        libraries  within  the  state,  to  render  aid  to  libraries  which  estab- 

1451,  April  19, 

lish  branch  or  visiting  libraries  in  schools  or  places  approved  by 
said  board,  and  to  render  aid  to  associations  which  operate 
°n'  travelling  libraries.  The  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  is  hereby 
annually  appropriated  to  carry  into  effect  the  provisions  of  this 
section,  to  be  paid  by  the  general  treasurer  on  the  order  of  the 
state  auditor  upon  the  presentation  of  vouchers  approved  by 
said  board. 

u>abeaSatdehow  SEC.  9.  Every  payment  herein  authorized  shall  be  made  by 
the  general  treasurer  upon  the  order  of  the  commissioner  of  pub- 
lic schools,  approved  by  the  board  of  education,  and  payable  to 
the  librarian  or  other  person  having  charge  of  such  library  or  of 
the  funds  applied  to  its  support  designated  by  said  board. 

bnnofficerf°orfs       ^EC<  10.     The  omcers>  or  persons  in  charge  of  all  schools 

fng°8?ateeJfd!  v"  and  educational  institutions  supported  wholly  or  in  part  by  this 
state,  whether  entirely  devoted  to  education  or  only  partially  so, 
shall  make  a  report  annually  in  the  month  of  July  to  the  state 
board  of  education,  of  such  facts  as  shall  show  the  number  of 
pupils  and  instructors,  the  courses  of  study,  cost  of  maintenance, 
and  general  needs  and  conditions  of  the  school  or  institution. 

areVto  beCregis-  ^EC*  **'  ^  private  schools  or  institutions  of  learning  in  this 
state  shall  be  registered  at  the  office  of  the  state  board  of  educa- 
tion, said  registry  showing  location,  name,  officers  or  persons  in 
charge,  grade  of  instruction,  and  common  language  used  in 
teaching.  They  shall  also  make  a  report  annually  in  the  month 
of  July,  to  the  state  board  of  education,  showing  the  number  of 


BOARD    OF    EDUCATION.  11 

different  pupils  enrolled,  the  average  attendance,  and  the  num- 
ber of  teachers  employed. 

SEC.  12.     The   board   shall   provide   registers   for  all   such  biSsersand 
schools  and  institutions,  and  shall  prepare  blank  forms  of  in- 
quiry for  the  facts  called  for  in  the  two  sections  next  preceding, 
and  in  doing  so  shall  have  special  reference  to  the  requirements 
of  the  bureau  of  education  at  Washington. 

SEC.  13.     Nothing  in  the  three  sections  next  preceding  shall  Unaffected01 
be  so  construed  as  to  repeal,  effect,  or  modify  the  provisions  of 
chapter  one  hundred  and  one. 

SEC.  14.     The  board  of  education  shall  make  an  annual  report  pubULawsP809 
to  the  general  assembly  at  its  January  session.  Jan*  29>  1J 


SEC.  15.     The  members  of  said  board  shall  receive  no  com-  Oafnd 


pensation  for  their  services,  but  the  general  treasurer  shall  pay,  Id^JatkSto  be 

paid  necessary 

upon  the  order  of  the  state  auditor,  the  necessary  expenses  of  expenses  in- 

curred in  dis- 

the  members  and  secretary  of  the  board,  incurred  in  the  dis-  ciSrSSt?efs°ffi" 
charge  of  their  official  duties,  from  any  moneys  in  the  treasury  1534,  ApTu  21, 

1  Qf)Q 

not  otherwise  appropriated,  upon  the  receipt  of  properly  au- 
thenticated vouchers. 

SEC.  16.     The  state  board  of  education  is  hereby  authorized  Provision  for 

the  instruction 

and  empowered  to  provide  for  the  instruction,  at  their  homes,  of  of  ?duit  blind 

residents  of  this 

adult  blind  residents  of  this  state,  upon  such  conditions  and  in  ptabe'Lawg. 
such  manner  as  may  seem  proper  to  said  board;  and  the  sum   ilos!  A 
of  twenty-five  hundred  dollars  is  hereby  annually  appropriated 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  the  provisions  of  this  section  into 
effect;  and  the  state  auditor  is  hereby  directed  to  draw  his  orders 
upon  the  general  treasurer  to  pay  the  bills  created  hereunder, 
when  properly  authenticated  by  said  board. 


12 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


Gen.    Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  52. 
13  R.  I.  454. 


CHAPTER   64. 


Of  the  Commissioner  of  Public  Schools. 


SECTION 

1.  Commissioner,  how  elected. 

2.  May  employ  clerical  assistance. 

3.  Duties  of  the  commissioner. 

4.  To  secure  uniformity  of  text-books. 

5.  To    prepare    and    distribute    pro- 

gramme for  Arbor  Day. . 

6.  To  report  to  the  general  assembly. 

7.  Commissioner  of  public  schools  to 

prepare  programme  of  exercises 
for  Grand  Army  Flag  Day. 

8.  Fourth  day  of  May  established  as 

"Rhode     Island      Independence 
Day." 


SECTION 

9.  On  each  fourth  day  of  May,  a  salute 
of  13  guns  is  to  be  fired,  and  state 
and  national  flags  shall  be  dis- 
played on  all  armories  and  state 
buildings. 

10.  To  be  observed  with  patriotic  ex- 

ercises in  all  public  schools. 

11.  Commissioner  of  public  schools  to 

prepare  a  programme  of  patriotic 
exercises  for  the  public  schools. 

12.  Not  to  be  construed  as  a  holiday. 


To  be  elected 
by  the  board  of 
education. 


Allowance  for 
clerical  assist- 
ance. 
Pub.  Laws, 


SECTION  1.  There  shall  be  annually  elected  a  commissioner 
of  public  schools  in  che  manner  prescribed  in  the  preceding 
chapter,  who  shall  devote  his  time  exclusively  to  the  duties  of 
his  office.  In  case  of  sickness,  temporary  absence,  or  other  dis- 
ability, the  governor  may  appoint  a  person  to  act  as  commis- 
sioner during  such  absence,  sickness  or  disability. 

SEC.  2.  The  commissioner  of  public  schools,  with  the  ap- 
proval of  the  board  of  education,  is  hereby  authorized  and  em- 

190?.'  Apni  23>  powered  to  employ  clerical  assistance  to  aid  him  in  his  duties  as 
such  school  commissioner  in  a  sum  not  exceeding  sixteen  hun- 
dred dollars  annually,  which  said  sum  of  sixteen  hundred  dol- 
lars is  hereby  annually  appropriated  from  any  money  in  the 
treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated;  and  the  state  auditor  is 
authorized  to  draw  his  order  upon  the  general  treasurer  to  pay 
the  same  upon  receipt  by  him  of  properly  authenticated 
vouchers. 

General  duties        SEC.  3.     The  commissioner  of  public  schools  shall  visit,  as 

of  the  commis- 
sioner, often  as  practicable,  every  town  in  the  state,  for  the  purpose  of 

inspecting  the  schools,  and  diffusing  as  widely  as  possible,  by 


COMMISSIONER    OF   PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  13 

public  addresses  and  personal  communications  with  school 
officers,  teachers  and  parents,  a  knowledge  of  the  defects,  and  of 
any  desirable  improvements,  in  the  administration  of  the  system 
and  the  government  and  instruction  of  the  schools. 

SEC.  4.     He  shall,  under  the  direction  of  the  board  of  educa-  Text-books. 
tion,  recommend  and  bring  about,  as  far  as  practicable,  a  uni- 
formity of  text-books  in  the  schools  of  all  the  towns;  and  shall 
assist  in  the  establishment  of,  and  selection  of  books  for,  school 
libraries. 

SEC.  5.     The  commissioner  of  public  schools  shall  prepare  Arbor  Day. 
each  year  a  programme  of  exercises  suitable  for  the  observance 
of  Arbor  Day,  and  shall  distribute  the  same  among  all  of  the 
public  schools  of  the  state  at  least  four  weeks  previous  to  said 
day. 

SEC.  6.     He  shall  annually,  in  December,  make  a  report  to  the  Annual  report. 
board  of  education,  upon  the  state  and  condition  of  the  schools 
and  of  education,  with  plans  and  suggestions  for  the  improve- 
ment of  said  schools. 

SEC.  7.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  commissioner  of  public  commissioner 

.  .  of  public  schools 

schools  to  prepare  a  programme  of  patriotic  exercises  for  the  to  prepare  a 

programmelof 

proper  observance  of  Grand  Army  Flag  Day,  and  to  furnish  g^J  Amy 
printed  copies  of  the  same  to  the  school  committees  of  the  several  plfif.  Laws,  sis. 
cities  and  towns  at  least  four  weeks  previous  to  the  twelfth  day 
of  February  in  each  year.     He  shall  also  prepare  for  the  use  of 
the  schools  a  printed  programme  providing  for  a  uniform  salute 
to  the  flag,  to  be  used  daily  during  the  session  of  the  school. 

SEC.  8.     The  fourth  day  of  May  in  each  and  every  year  here-  Fourth^bfishf 
after  is  hereby  established,  in  this  state,  as  "Rhode  Island  In- 


dependence  Day:"  —  being  a  just  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  KS>.  Laws, 

1591,  May  26, 

members  of  our  general  assembly,  who,  on  the  fourth  day  of   1908. 
May,  1776  —  in  the  state  house  at  Providence,  passed  an  act 
renouncing  allegiance  of  the  colony  to  the  British  crown,  and 
by  the  provisions  of  that  act  declaring  it  sovereign  and  independ- 


14  LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

ent; — the  first  official  act  of  its  kind  by  any  of  the  thirteen 
American  colonies. 

S]EC-  9'     On  each  and  ever^  fourth  day  of  May  hereafter, 

except  when  said  day  falls  on  the  first  day  of  the  week  (corn- 
fired,  and  state  _ 
and  national      monly  called  Sunday),  then  on  the  day  following,  the  governor 

flags  shall  be 

S!meesdanda11  sna1^  cause  salutes  of  thirteen  guns  to  be  fired,  at  12  o'clock, 
lmg3'  noon,  by  detachments  of  the  state  artillery,  at  all  places  in  the 
state  where  stationed,  and  shall  cause  a  display  of  state  and 
national  flags  on  all  armories  and  other  state  buildings  from 
sunrise  to  sunset,  in  honor  of  "Rhode  Island  Independence 
Day." 

TO  be  observed       gEC>  iQ.     The  fourth  day  of  May  in  each  and  every  year  here- 
with patriotic  * 

after  is  hereby  established  in  the  annual  school  calendar  to  be 
known  as  "  Rhode  Island  Independence  Day,"  and  shall  be 
observed  with  patriotic  exercises  in  all  the  public  schools  of  the 
state,  as  hereinafter  named.  It  is  also  provided  that  when 
such  day  shall  fall  on  Saturday,  or  on  Sunday,  such  patriotic 
school  exercises  shall  be  on  the  preceding  or  following  days, 
respectively,  as  the  case  may  be. 

SEC.   11.     The  state  commissioner  of  public  schools  shall  an- 
nually  prepare  a  programme  of  patriotic  exercises  for  the  proper 
cfiea  fo?t?eer     observance  of  "  Rhode  Island  Independence  Day"  in  the  schools, 

public  schools. 

and  shall  furnish  printed  copies  of  the  same  to  the  school  com- 
mittees of  the  several  cities  and  towns  of  the  state,  at  least  four 
weeks  previous  to  the  fourth  day  of  May  in  each  year. 
Not  to  be  con-       gEc.  12.     The  fourth  day  of  May  as  herein  named,  shall  in 

strued  as  a  holi- 

day-  nowise  be  construed  as  a  holiday. 


APPROPRIATION    FOR    PUBLIC    SCHOOLS. 


CHAPTER  65. 


Of  the  Appropriation  for  Public  Schools. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  53. 
13  R.  I.  454. 


SECTION 

1.  Appropriation  from  treasury  to  be 

paid  annually. 

2.  How  apportioned. 

3.  How  expended. 

4.  Conditions  upon  which  towns  shall 

receive  their  proportion. 

5.  Forfeiture    of    town's    proportion, 

when. 


SECTION 

6.  Orders  on  the  general  treasurer. 

7,  8.     Appropriation  for  reference-books 

and  illustrative  apparatus.     How 
apportioned. 

9.     Of  future  apportionments  in  case 
applications    exceed    amount    of 
'     appropriation. 
10.  •  Evening  schools. 


SECTION  1.  The  sum  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand 
dollars  shall  be  annually  paid  out  of  the  income  of  the  per- 
manent school  fund,  and  from  other  money  in  the  treasury,  for 
the  support  of  public  schools  in  the  several  towns,  on  the  order 
of  the  commissioner  of  public  schools. 

SEC.  2.  This  sum  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  dol-  Jf°,w3(fppor~ 
lars  shall  be  apportioned  by  the  commissioner  of  public  schools 
among  the  several  towns,  as  follows  :  The  sum  of  one  hundred 
dollars  shall  be  apportioned  for  each  school,  not  to  exceed  fifteen 
in  number  in  any  one  town;  the  remainder  shall  be  apportioned 
in  proportion  to  the  number  of  children  from  five  to  fifteen  years 
of  age,  inclusive,  in  the  several  towns,  according  to  the  school 
census  then  last  preceding. 

SEC.  3.     The  money  appropriated  from  the  state  as  aforesaid  HOW  expended. 
shall  be  denominated  "  teachers'  money,"  and  shall  be  applied 
to  the  wages  of  teachers,  and  to  no  other  purpose. 

SEC.  4.     No  town  shall  receive  any  part  of  such  state  appro-  Towns  to  re- 

ceive, on  condi- 

priation,  unless  it  shall  raise  by  tax,  for  the  support  of  public  appropriatSrial 
schools,  a  sum  equal  to  the  amount  it  may  receive  from  the 
treasury  for  the  support  of  public  schools. 

SEC.  5.  If  any  town  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  raise  or  appro- 
priate  the  sum  required  in  the  preceding  section,  on  or  before  the 
first  day  of  July,  in  any  year,  its  proportion  of  the  public  money 


for. 


16  LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 

shall  be  forfeited,  and  the  general  treasurer,  on  being  informed 
thereof  in  writing  by  the  commissioner  of  public  schools,  shall 
add  it  to  the  permanent  school  fund. 
SoneCr°to1d1raw        SEC.  6.     The  commissioner  of  public  schools  shall  draw  orders 

on  general  treas-  .  . 

urer  in  favor  of  on  the  general  treasurer  for  their  proportion  of  the  appropriation 
for  public  schools,  in  favor  of  all  such  towns  as  shall  on  or  before 
the  first  day  of  July,  annually  comply  with  the  conditions  of 
section  four  of  this  chapter. 

SEC.  7*     Tne  sum  of  four  thousand  dollars  shall  be  annually 
-  appropriated  for  the  purchase  of  dictionaries,  encyclopedias  and 
otner  works  of  reference,  maps,  globes,  and  other  apparatus,  for 
the  use  of  the  public  schools  of  the  state. 

SEC.  8-     Said  sum  of  four  thousand  dollars  shall  be  appor- 


Pub.  Laws,540,  tioned  among  the  several  towns  as  follows:    Every  town  desiring 

to  avail  itself  of  this  appropriation  shall  make  application  there- 

for to  the  commissioner  of  public  schools,  with  vouchers  for  the 

amount  actually  expended.     Upon  receipt  of  said  application 

Order  on  state  an<^  voucners  the  commissioner  of  public  schools  may  draw  his 

same°rfor        order  on  the  general  treasurer  in  behalf  of  said  applicant,  for 

half  the  amount  of  said  vouchers,  at  the  rate  of  ten  dollars  for 

each  school,  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  two  hundred  dollars 

in  any  one  year  for  any  town  :    Provided,  that  the  gross  amount 

in  any  one  year  shall  not  exceed  four  thousand  dollars. 

SenfsPwhenn"         ^EC-  ®«     ^-n  case  ^ne  number  and  amount  of  applications  in 
one  fiscal  year  shall  exceed  the  limit  of  the  appropriation, 


the  commissioner  of  public  schools  shall  record  the  date  of  each 
application,  and  in  the  apportionment  for  the  following  year 
such  recorded  applications  shall  have  the  preference  in  the  order 
of  their  dates. 
Annual  appro-        SEC.  10.     There  shall  be  an  annual  appropriation  for  the 

priation  for  . 

evening  schools  support  and  maintenance  of  evening  schools  in  the  several  towns 
of  this  state,  under  the  general  supervision  of  the  state  board  of 
education,  who  shall  apportion  said  appropriation  annually 


DUTIES    OF    TOWNS    TO    PUBLIC    SCHOOLS. 


17 


among  the  several  towns  and  draw  orders  therefor  on  the  general 
treasurer. 


CHAPTER  66. 

Of  the  Powers  and  Duties  of  Towns  and  of  the  Town  Treasurer 
and  Town  Clerk  relative  to  Public  Schools. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  54.  , 
2  R.  I.  120 
13  R.  I.  454 


SECTION 

1.  Town  to  maintain  its  schools. 

2.  School -houses,  how  to  be  provided. 

3.  Corporate  powers  of  any  school  dis- 

trict, to  continue  how. 

4.  School  committee,  how  and  when 

chosen. 

5.  Superintendent     of     schools,     how 

elected. 

6.  Certain    towns    may  unite  for  em- 

ployment of  superintendent. 

7.  School  committees  of  towns  to  form 

joint  committee,  when. 

8.  Action  of    commissioner   of    public 

schools  on  receipt  of  notice  that 
union  has  been  effected. 


SECTION 

9.     Town  or  city,  not  united,  to  be  en- 
titled to  certain  moneys. 

10.  Appropriation. 

11.  Town   treasurer   to   receive    school 

money. 

12.  To  submit  statement  to  school  com- 

mittee. 

13.  Also    to    commissioner    of    public 

schools. 

14.  Town    clerk    to    distribute    school 

documents. 

15.  School  census  to  be  taken  annually. 

16.  Census -forms  furnished  by  schoo 

commissioner. 

17.  Census  returns  deposited,  where. 


SECTION  1.  Every  town  shall  establish  and  maintain  a 
sufficient  number  of  public  schools,  at  convenient  places,  under 
the  management  of  the  school  committee,  subject  to  the  super- 
vision of  the  commissioner  of  public  schools  as  provided  by  this 
title. 

SEC.  2.  Any  town  may  vote,  in  a  meeting  notified  for  that 
purpose,  to  provide  school-houses,  together  with  the  necessary 
fixtures  and  appendages  thereof. 

SEC.  3.  The  corporate  powers  and  liabilities  of  any  school 
district  heretofore  existing  shall  continue  and  remain  so  far  as 
may  be  necessary  for  the  enforcement  of  its  rights  and  duties. 

SEC.  4.  The  school  committee  of  each  town  shall  consist  of 
three  residents  of  the  town,  or  of  such  number  as  at  the  present 


Town  to  main- 
tain its  schools. 


School-houses, 
how  to  be  pro- 
vided. 


Powers  and  lia- 
bilities of  a  dis- 
continued dis- 
trict. 


School  com- 
mittee, how 
and  when 
chosen. 


18  LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

time  constitute  the  committee,  and  they  shall  be  divided  as 
equally  as  may  be  into  three  classes,  whose  several  terms  of 
office  shall  expire  at  the  end  of  three  years  from  the  dates  of  their 
respective  elections.  As  the  office  of  each  class  shall  become 
vacant,  such  vacancy  or  vancancies  shall  be  filled  by  the  town  at 
its  annual  town  meeting  for  the  election  of  state  or  town  officers, 
or  by  the  town  council  at  its  next  meeting  thereafter.  In  case 
of  a  vacancy  by  death,  resignation,  or  otherwise  than  as  is  above 
provided,  such  vacancy  shall  be  filled  by  the  town  council  until 
the  next  annual  town  meeting  for  state  or  town  officers,  when  it 
shall  be  filled  for  the  unexpired  term  thereof  as  is  above  pro- 
vided. 
Superintendent  SEC.  5.  The  school  committee  of  each  town  shall  eleet  a 

of  schools,  how 

PubteLaws  989    superintendent  of  the  public  schools  of  the  town,  to  perform,  un- 
A2P7riR4'L9596.     der  the  advice  and  direction  of  the  committee,  such  duties,  and 
Saiar    of  how  ^°  exercise  suc^  powers,  as  the  committee  shall  assign  him;  and 
IScted.     en      ^°  receive  such  compensation  out  of  the  town  appropriation  for 
public  schools  as  the  committee  shall  vote.     Said  superintend- 
ent shall  be  elected  at  the  first  regular  meeting  of  the  school  com- 
mittee succeeding  the  annual  election  of  school  committee;  but 
the  committee  shall  have  power  to  fill  a  vacancy  at  any  meeting 
duly  called. 

SEC.  6.     Any  two  or  more  towns  in  which  the  aggregate  num- 
ber  of  schools  shall  not  be  more  than  sixty,  may  by  vote  of  the 
Pub.  Laws,       qualified  electors  of  said  several  towns  unite  for  the  purpose  of 

1101,  April  17, 

the  employment  of  a  superintendent  of  schools. 
School  commit-       SEC.  7.  '  The  school  committees  of  the  respective  towns  vot- 

tees  of  towns  . 

uniting  to  form  ing  theretor,  as  prescribed  in  the  preceding  section,  shall  lorm 

a  joint  commit- 

puerposescertain  a  jomt  committee,  for  the  purposes  of  this  chapter;  said  joint 
1147  Mairfbs     committee  shall  be  the  agents  of  each  town  comprising  such 

1904. 

union.  Said  school  committees  shall  meet  annually  in  joint  con- 
vention, on  the  last  Friday  in  June,  at  a  place  and  hour  agreed 
upon  by  the  chairman  of  the  respective  school  committees,  and 
shall  organize  by  the  choice  of  a  chairman  and  secretary.  They 


DUTIES    OF   TOWNS   TO    PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  19 

shall  choose  by  ballot  a  superintendent  of  schools,  fix  his  salary 
and  apportion  the  amount  thereof  to  be  paid  by  each  of  the 
towns,  approximately  according  to  the  next  preceding  school 
census  in  said  town.  Such  union  shall  not  be  dissolved  be- 
cause the  number  of  schools  shall  have  increased  beyond  the 
number  of  sixty,  nor,  for  any  reason,  for  the  period  of  three 
years  from  the  date  of  the  formation  of  such  union,  except  by 
vote  of  a  majority  of  the  towns  constituting  such  union. 

SEC.  8.     Whenever  the  chairman  and  secretary  of  such  joint  misSoner  Cofm" 

. ,,  ,  .  »         ,  , .  ,        ,       public     schools 

committee  shall  certify  to  the  commissioner  of  public  schools  upon  receipt  of 

notice  that  said 

that  a  union  has  been  effected  as  herein  provided  together  with  ug^ejjas  been 
the  amount  of  salary  to  be  paid  to  the  superintendent  of  schools 
and  the  proportional  amount  to  be  paid  by  each  town  forming 
said  union,  then  upon  the  receipt  of  said  certificate  by  the  com- 
missioner of  public  schools  said  commissioner  shall  draw  his 
order  upon  the  general  treasurer  in  favor  of  each  town  in  said 
union  for  the  payment  of  one-half  the  proportional  amount  so 
certified:  Provided,  the  amount  paid  to  any  one  union  shall 
not  exceed  seven  hundred  fifty  dollars,  which  amount  shall  be 
paid  for  the  salary  of  said  superintendent. 

SEC.  9.     In  case  any  town  or  city  not  united  with  any  other 
town  or  city  as  provided  in  section  six  shall  annually  pay  at  least 

tciin  mon6ys. 

fifteen  hundred  dollars  for  the  salary  of  a  superintendent  of 
schools,  such  town  or  city  shall  be  entitled  to  seven  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  from  the  state  treasury,  which  amount  shall  be  paid 
toward  the  salary  of  said  superintendent;  and  the  commissioner 
of  public  schools  shall  draw  his  order  for  said  amount  upon  re- 
ceipt of  the  proper  certificate  from  the  chairman  and  clerk  of 
the  school  committee  of  said  town. 

SEC.  10.     There  shall  be  appropriated  annually  such  sum  as  Appropria- 
tions, 
may  be  necessary  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  the  two  pre-  Pub. 

ceding  sections.     No  person  shall  be  employed  as  superintend-  1903> 
ent  of  schools  under  the  provisions  of  this  chapter  unless  such 
person  holds  a  certificate  of  qualification  issued  by  or  under  the 


20 


LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 


Superintendent 
of  schools  to 
hold  certificate 
of  qualification 
issued  by  state 
board  of  educa- 
tion. 

Pub.  Laws, 
1560,  May  1, 
1908. 

Town  treasurer 
to  receive 
school-money 
and  account 
therefor. 

11  R.  I.  537. 

23  R.  I.  337. 


To  submit 
statement 
thereof  to 
school  com- 
mittee. 


Also  to  com- 
missioner of 
public  schools. 


Town  clerk  to 
distribute 
school  docu- 
ments. 


School  census 
to  be  taken  an- 
nually,   under 
the  direction  of 
the  school  com- 
mittee. 

Pub.  Laws,  739, 
April  24,  1900. 


authority  of  the  state  board  of  education;  and  no  town  or  city 
employing  a  superintendent  not  certified  as  herein  provided  shall 
be  entitled  to  any  share  in  the  state  appropriation  for  super- 
vision of  schools. 

SEC.  11.  The  town  treasurer  shall  receive  the  money  due  the 
town  from  the  state  for  public  schools,  and  shall  keep  a  separate 
account  of  all  money  appropriated  by  the  state  or  town  or  other- 
wise for  public  schools  in  the  town,  and  shall  pay  the  same  to  the 
order  of  the  school  committee,  and  he  shall  credit  the  public 
school  account,  on  the  first  Monday  of  May  in  each  year,  with  the 
total  amount  of  money  received  by  him  for  poll-taxes  during  the 
year  ending  the  thirtieth  day  of  April  last  preceding. 

SEC.  12.  The  town  treasurer  shall,  before  the  first  day  of 
July  in  each  year,  submit  to  the  school  committee  a  statement  of 
all  moneys  applicable  to  the  support  of  public  schools  for  the 
current  school  year,  specifying  the  sources  of  the  same. 

SEC.  13.  The  town  treasurer  shall,  on  or  before  the  first  day 
of  July,  annually,  transmit  to  the  commissioner  of  public  schools 
a  certificate  of  the  amount  which  the  town  has  voted  to  raise 
by  tax  for  the  support  of  public  schools  for  the  current  year;  and 
also  a  statement  of  the  amount  paid  out  to  the  order  of  the 
school  committee,  and  from  what  sources  it  was  derived,  for  the 
year  ending  the  thirtieth  day  of  April  next  preceding;  and  until 
such  return  is  made  to  the  commissioner,  he  may,  in  his  discre- 
tion, withhold  the  order  for  the  money  in  the  state  treasury  be- 
longing to  such  town. 

SEC.  14.  The  town  clerk  shall  distribute  such  school  docu- 
ments and  blanks  as  shall  be  sent  to  him,  to  the  persons  for 
whom  they  are  intended. 

SEC.  15.  The  school  committee  of  each  town  or  city,  or 
some  person  or  persons  whom  they  shall  appoint  for  the  purpose, 
shall  annually  in  the  month  of  January  take  a  census  of  all  per- 
sons between  the  ages  of  five  and  fifteen  years,  inclusive,  residing 
within  the  limits  of  their  respective  towns  on  the  first  day  of  said 


POWERS    AND    DUTIES    OF    SCHOOL    COMMITTEES.  21 

January;  and  said  school  committee  shall  fix  the  compensation 
for  the  above  service,  which  shall  be  payable  from  the  appro- 
priation for  public  schools. 

SEC.  16.  The  blank  forms  required  to  carry  out  the  require- 
ments  of  the  preceding  section  shall  be  furnished  by  the  com- 
missioner  of  public  schools  to  each  town  on  or  before  the  first 
day  of  December  in  each  year,  and  they  shall  call  in  substance 
for  the  following  information,  namely,  the  name,  age,  number  of 
weeks'  attendance  upon  any  school,  parents'  name  and  residence, 

of  each  person  enumerated ;  and  if  any  parent  or  guardian  shall  Penalty  for  re- 
fusal to  give 

refuse  to  give  the  above  information  in  regard  to  his  children  or  mformatlon- 
wards,  or  shall  knowingly  and  wilfully  falsify  such  information, 
he  shall  be  fined  not  exceeding  twenty  dollars. 

SEC.  17.     The  returns  of  said  census  shall  be  alphabeticallv  Census  returns 

J     to  be  deposited 

arranged  and  deposited  in  the  hands  of  the  school  committees 
of  the  several  towns  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  March  in  each 
year ;  and  the  receipt  of  the  chairman  or  clerk  of  the  school  com- 
mittee to  the  effect  that  the  above  returns  have  been  so  received 
by  him,  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  commissioner  of  public  schools 
before  he  shall  draw  his  order  for  the  payment  of  any  portion  of 
the  public  money  to  that  town. 


commissioner. 


fJHAPTF/R    fi7  Gen.   Laws, 

L  i^n  D  / .  18g6  ch  60 

13  R.  I.  454. 


Of  the  Powers  and  Duties  of  School  Committees. 


SECTION 


1.  Officers  of  school  committee. 

2.  Meetings  of  school  committee. 


SECTION 


of  superintendent   in   towns  not 
uniting. 


3.  Location  of  school-houses.  10.  Annual  report  of  school  committee. 

4.  Instruction  in  physiology  and  hy-  j       11.  Printing  report,  how  paid  for. 

giene.  12.  School  committee  to  furnish  books 

5.  Committee  to  visit  the  schools.  and  supplies. 


6.  To  make  rules. 

7.  May  authorize   children   to  attend 

school  in  adjoining  towns. 

8.  May  suspend  pupils. 

9.  Selection  of  teachers  and  election 


13.  Change  in  school  books,  how  made- 

14.  Public  school  to  be  provided  with 

United  States  flag. 

15.  Flag  to  be  displayed,  when. 

16.  Grand  Army  Flag  Day  established. 


22  LAWS    KELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

?c?ooY8commit-  SECTION  1.  The  school  committee  of  each  town  shall  choose 
a  chairman  and  clerk,  either  of  whom  may  sign  any  orders  or 
official  papers,  and  may  be  removed  at  the  pleasure  of  said  com- 
mittee. 

^EC>  2>  Tne  scno°l  committee  of  each  town  shall  hold  at 
least  four  regular  meetings  in  every  year,  at  such  time  and  place 
within  the  town  as  the  committee  shall  by  general  order  fix  and 
determine. 

^EC*  ^'     ^e  scno°l  committee  shall  locate  all  school-houses, 
I?  R.'  L  ii5.'    and  shall  not  abandon  or  change  the  location  of  any  without 

good  cause, 
instruction  in         gEC    4      The  school  committees  of  the  several  towns  shall 

physiology  and 

make  provision  for  the  instruction  of  the  pupils  in  all  schools 
supported  wholly,  or  in  part,  by  public  money,  in  physiology  and 
hygiene,  with  special  reference  to  the  effects  of  alcoholic  liquors, 
stimulants  and  narcotics  upon  the  human  system. 
TO  visit  the  SEC.  5.     The  school  committee  shall  visit,  by  one  or  more  of 

schools. 

their  number,  every  public  school  in  the  town  at  least  twice 
during  each  term,  once  within  two  weeks  of  its  opening  and  once 
within  two  weeks  of  its  close;  at  which  visits  they  shall  examine 
the  register  and  matters  touching  the  school-house,  library, 
studies,  books,  discipline,  modes  of  teaching  and  improvement 
of  the  school. 

for  Se^cho"1!?  SEC.  6.  The  school  committee  shall  make  and  cause  to  be 
put  up  in  each  school-house,  rules  and  regulations  for  the  at- 
tendance and  classification  of  the  pupils,  for  the  introduction 
and  use  of  text-books  and  works  of  reference,  and  for  the  instruc- 
tion, government  and  discipline  of  the  public  schools,  and  shall 
prescribe  the  studies  to  be  pursued  therein,  under  the  direction 
of  the  commissioner  of  public  schools. 

May  authorize        SEC.  7.     Whenever  the  school  committee  of  any  town  shall 

children  to  at- 

adjoining  to^n  nn(*  "that  it  is  more  convenient  or  expedient  for  any  child  residing 
in  said  town  to  attend  school  in  an  adjoining  town,  said  com- 
mittee may  arrange  with  the  school  authorities  of  such  town  for 


POWERS    AND    DUTIES    OF    SCHOOL    COMMITTEES.  23 

the  attendance  of  such  child  at  their  schools,  and  may  pay  for 
such  tuition  out  of  the  town  appropriation  for  public  schools. 
The  amount  so  paid  shall  be  used  for  school  purposes  only. 

SEC.  8.     The  school  committee  may  suspend  during  pleasure  May  suspend 

pupils. 

all  pupils  found  guilty  of  incorrigibly  bad  conduct  or  of  violation 
of  the  school  regulations. 

SEC.  9.     The  selection  of  teachers,  and  election  of  superin-  Pub  Laws 
tendent,  in  such  towns  as  do  not  unite  for  the  employment  of  a   1903!    pn 

26  R.  I.  165. 

superintendent,  and  the  entire  care,  control,  and  management  Selection  of 
of  all  the  public  school  interests  of  the  several  towns,  shall  be 
vested  in  the  school  committee  of  the  several  towns,  and  they 
shall  also  draw  all  orders  for  the  payment  of  their  expenses. 

SEC.  10.     The  school  committee  shall  prepare  and  submit  Annual  report 

of  the  school 

annually  to  the  commissioner  of  public  schools,  on  or  before  the  committee, 
first  day  of  July,  a  report  in  manner  and  form  by  him  prescribed; 
and  until  such  report  is  made  to  the  commissioner,  he  may  refuse 
to  draw  his  order  for  the  money  in  the  state  treasury  belonging 
to  such  town :  Provided,  that  the  necessary  blank  for  said  report 
has  been  furnished  by  the  commissioner  on  or  before  the  first 
day  of  May  next  preceding;  they  shall  also  prepare  and  submit 
annually,  at  the  annual  town  meeting,  a  report  to  the  town,  set- 
ting forth  their  doings,  the  state  and  condition  of  the  schools 
and  plans  for  their  improvement,  which  report,  unless  printed, 
shall  be  read  in  open  town  meeting;  and  if  printed,  at  least  three 
copies  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  commissioner  on  or  before  the 
first  day  of  July  in  each  year. 

SEC.  11.     The  school  committee  may  reserve  annually  out  of  printing  report, 

,  , .  .  how  paid  for. 

the  public  appropriation,  a  sum  not  exceeding  forty  dollars  to 
defray  the  expense  of  printing  their  annual  report. 

SEC.  12.     The  school  committee  of  every  city  and  town  shall  school  commit- 
tee to  furnish 

purchase,  at  the  expense  of  such  city  or  town,  text-books  and  books  and  sup- 
plies. 

other  school  supplies  used  in  the  public  schools;  and  said  text- 
books and  supplies  shall  be  loaned  to  the  pupils  of  said  public 


24 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


foubeprovided 
states  flag,  flag- 

staff,  and  ap- 

piiances  there- 
Pub. 


United  states 

flag  to  be  dis- 


Grand  Army 

Flag  Day  es- 
tablished. 


schools  free  of  charge,  subject  to  such  rules  and  regulations  as  to 
care  and  custody  as  the  school  committee  may  prescribe. 

SEC.  13.  A  change  may  be  made  in  the  school  books  in  the 
public  schools  of  any  town  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  whole 
school  committee;  and  in  the  city  of  Providence  by  a  vote  of  a 
majority  of  all  the  members  elected  to  the  school  committee, 
notice  of  the  proposed  change  having  been  given  in  writing  at  a 
previous  regular  meeting  of  said  committee:  Provided,  that  no 
change  be  made  in  any  text-book  in  the  public  schools  of  any 
town  oftener  than  once  in  three  years,  unless  by  the  consent  of 
the  board  of  education. 

SEC-  14-  Tne  school  committees  of  the  several  cities  and 
towns  of  the  state  shall,  in  the  same  manner  as  now  provided  by 
law  for  the  purchase  of  supplies  for  public  schools  by  such  com- 
mittees,  purchase  for  every  such  school  in  their  respective  cities 
and  towns  not  now  provided  therewith,  a  United  States  flag, 
flagstaff,  and  the  necessary  appliances  therefor;  and  thereafter 
whenever  the  flag,  flagstaff,  or  the  necessary  appliances  there- 
for of  any  such  school  shall  from  any  cause  become  unsuitable 
for  further  use,  such  school  committee  shall  in  the  same  manner 
purchase  others  in  place  thereof. 

gEC  15.  The  school  committees  of  the  several  cities  and 
towns  shall  cause  the  United  States  flag  to  be  displayed  upon 
the  public  school  buildings  or  premises  therein  during  school 
hours  if  in  their  best  judgment  it  be  practicable,  otherwise  at 
such  times  as  they  may  direct,  and  such  committees  shall  also 
establish  rules  and  regulations  for  the  proper  care,  custody,  and 
display  of  the  flag;  and  when,  for  any  cause,  it  is  not  displayed 
it  shall  be  placed  conspicuously  in  the  principal  room  of  the 
school  building. 

gEc.  16.  The  twelfth  day  of  February  in  each  and  every 
vear  nereafter  is  hereby  established  in  the  annual  school  calendar 
to  be  known  as  Grand  Army  Flag  Day,  in  honor  of  the  birthday 


TEACHERS. 


25 


of  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  shall  be  observed  with  patriotic 
exercises  in  the  public  schools;  but  such  day  shall  in  nowise  be 
construed  to  be  a  holiday.  It  is  also  provided  that  when  such 
day  shall  fall  on  Sunday  or  on  Saturday,  the  following  or  pre- 
ceding days  respectively,  as  the  case  may  be,  shall  be  observed. 


CHAPTER  68. 


Of  Teachers. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  61. 
13  R.  I.  454. 


SECTION. 

1.  Certificate  of  qualification  required- 

2.  State  board  of  education  to  cause 

examinations  to  be  held. 

3.  State  board  of  education  may  issue 

certificates  without  examination, 
when. 

4.  May  annul  certificates  for  cause. 


SECTION 

5.  Teachers  may  be  dismissed,  when. 

6.  Teachers  to  keep  register  of  scholars 

and  certain  records,  and  make  re- 
port. 

7.  School  officers  ineligible  to  teach  in 

public  schools. 

8.  Moral  instruction. 


SECTION  1.     No  person  shall  be  employed  to  teach,  as  princi-  NO  person  to 

teach  without 

pal  or  assistant,  in  any  school  supported  wholly  or  in  part  by 

public  money  unless  such  person  shall  have  a  certificate  of 

qualification  issued  by  or  under  the  authority  of  the  state  board 

of  education.     And  in  case  any  city  or  town  shall  pay  or  cause 

to  be  paid  any  of  the  public  money  to  any  person  for  teaching  as  Swns*  o?ncities 

aforesaid  who  did  not,  at  the  time  of  such  teaching,  hold  such  teachers  not 

holding  such 

certificate,  then  the  commissioner  of  public  schools  shall  deduct  certificates. 

Pub.   Laws, 

a  sum  equal  to  the  amount  so  paid  from  the  amount  of  the  state's   JJJ|-  APril  17' 
money  due,  or  which  may  thereafter  become  due,  such  city  or 
town  before  giving  his  order  in  favor  of  such  city  or  town  for 
for  any  of  the  public  money  under  the  provisions  of  chapter 
sixty-five. 

SEC.  2.     The  state  board  of  education  shall  hold,  or  cause  to  state  board  of 

education   to 

be  held,  in  such  places  in  different  parts  of  the  state,  and  at  such  tfon^t^be™™" 
times  as  they  may  determine,  examinations  for  the  position  of  p^£'  LawSi  544 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  this  state  ;  and  said  board  of  ISQS!  '  ay  4> 


26  LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 

education  is  hereby  authorized  to  issue  certificates  of  qualifica- 
tion which  shall  be  valid  throughout  the  state  for  the  grade  and 
time  specified  therein. 

r"       ^EC<  3-     Said  state  board  of  education  may,  in  their  dis- 
4,'  cretion,  issue  certificates  of  qualification  without  examination  to 
persons  who  may  present  evidence  of  qualification  and  shall 
comply  with  the  regulations  of  said  board. 
themannul  SEC.  4.     Said  board  of  education  may  at  any  time  annul  for 


cause  any  certificate  issued  by  them,  after  due  notice  to  the 

1898 

holder  thereof,  and  an  opportunity  for  a  hearing  if  desired. 
bladSmisSdy         SEC.  5.     The  school  committee  of  any  town  may,  on  reason- 

able notice  and  a  hearing  of  such  teacher,  dismiss  any  teacher 

for  refusal  to  conform  to  the  regulations  by  them  made,  or  for 

other  just  cause. 

kSpha  rregtster       SEC.  6.     Every  teacher  in  any  public  school  shall  keep  a  regis- 
certain  reCSoads.  ter  of  the  names  of  all  the  scholars  attending  said  school,  their 

and  make  re- 

port.  sex,  age,  names  of  parents  or  guardians,  the  time  when  each 

scholar  enters  and  leaves  the  school,  the  daily  attendance,  to- 
gether with  the  days  of  the  month  on  which  the  school  is  visited 
by  any  officer  connected  with  public  schools,  and  shall  prepare 
any  report  required  by  the  school  committee  or  commissioner  of 
public  schools. 

Members  of  SEC.  7.     No  member  of  the  school  committee  of  any  town, 

school  commit- 


geoeac       shall,  so  long  as  he  continues  in  said  office  of  member  of  the 
schools!0  school  committee,  be  eligible  or  employed  to  teach  as  principal 

Pub  Laws  620    or  assistan<k  m  any  scno°l  supported  entirely  or  in  part  by  the 
Mar.  3,  1899.      public  money,  within  the  town  where  said  member  of  the  school 

committee  resides. 
Moral  instruc-        SEC.  8.     Every  teacher  shall  aim  to  implant  and  cultivate  in 

tion. 

the  minds  of  all  children  committed  to  his  care  the  principles  of 
morality  and  virtue. 


PENSIONING    OF    SCHOOL    TEACHERS. 


27 


CHAPTER  69. 


Of  the  Pensioning  of  School  Teachers  in  this  State. 


Pub.  Laws, 
1468,  April  23, 
1907. 


SECTION 

1.     Provision  for  pensioning  of  school 
teachers. 


SECTION 

2.  Duty  of  state  board  of  education. 

3.  Appropriation. 


SECTION  1.     Any  person  of  either  sex  who  on  the  23d  day  of  Provision  for 
April,  1907,  or  thereafter  shall  have  reached  the  age  of  sixty  of  school  teach- 

crs. 

years,  and  who  for  thirty-five  years  shall  have  been  engaged  in 
teaching  as  his  principal  occupation  and  have  been  regularly 
employed  as  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  or  in  such  other 
schools  within  this  state  as  are  supported  wholly  or  in  part  by 
state  appropriation  and  are  entirely  managed  and  controlled  by 
the  state,  twenty-five  years  of  which  employment,  including  the 
fifteen  years  immediately  preceding  retirement,  shall  have  been 
in  this  state,  may  at  the  expiration  of  a  school  year,  unless  his 
private  contract  with  his  employer  shall  otherwise  provide,  be 
retired  by  his  employer  or  voluntarily  retire  from  active  service, 
and  on  his  formal  application  shall  receive  from  the  state  for  the 
remainder  of  his  life  an  annual  pension  equal  to  one-half  of  his 
average  contractual  salary  during  the  last  five  years  before 
retiring,  but  in  no  case  shall  such  annual  pension  be  more  than 
five  hundred  dollars:  Provided,  however,  that  no  such  employ- 
ment as  teacher  within  this  state  after  said  twenty-third  day  of 
April,  nineteen  hundred  seven,  shall  be  included  within  its 
provisions,  unless  the  teacher  shall  hold  a  certificate  of  qualifi- 
cation issued  by  or  under  the  authority  of  the  state  board  of 
education.  (See  Chap.  401,  Pub.  Laws.) 

SEC.  2.     The  state  board  of  education  shall  make  all  needful  Duty  of  the 

.  state  board  of 

regulations  for  issuing  certificates  of  qualification  and  carrying  ^^Jji^™^ 
into  effect  the  other  provisions  of  this  chapter,  and  shall  examine  ™is  chaPter- 
into  and  determine  the  eligibility  of  each  and  every  applicant  to 
receive  a  pension  under  the  provisions  of  this  chapter. 


28 


LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 


Appro  priation.  gEa  %  -pOY  the  purpose  of  carrying  this  chapter  into  effect 
the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be 
necessary  is  hereby  appropriated  out  of  any  money  in  the  trea- 
sury not  otherwise  appropriated,  and  the  state  auditor  is  hereby 
directed  to  draw  his  orders  on  the  general  treasurer  in  favor  of 
such  persons  and  for  such  sums  as  shall  be  certified  to  him  by  the 
state  board  of  education,  according  to  the  provisions  of  this 
chapter. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  62. 
13  R.  I.  454. 


Appeals  to 
school  com- 
sioner. 

6  R.  I.  144. 

10  R.  I.  616. 

11  R.  I.  596. 


To  justice  of 
supreme  court, 
when. 

6  R.  I.  144. 


Rules   of 
appeals. 


CHAPTER  70. 


Of  Legal  Proceedings  Relating  to  Public  Schools. 


SECTION 

1.  Appeals  to  school  commissioner. 

2.  To  justice  of  supreme  court. 

3.  Rules  of  appeals. 

4.  Submissions    to    commissioner    by 

agreement  to  be  final. 


SECTION 

5.  Costs  not  taxed,  when. 

6.  School     commissioner    may    remit 
fines,  when. 


SECTION  1.  Any  person  aggrieved  by  any  decision  or  doings 
of  any  school  committee,  or  in  any  other  matter  arising  under 
this  title,  may  appeal  to  the  commissioner  of  public  schools  who, 
after  notice  to  the  party  interested  of  the  time  and  place  of  hear- 
ing, shall  examine  and  decide  the  same  without  cost  to  the 
parties:  Provided,  that  nothing  contained  in  this  section  shall 
be  so  construed  as  to  deprive  such  aggrieved  party  of  any  legal 
remedy. 

SEC.  2.  The  commissioner  of  public  schools  may,  and  if 
requested  on  hearing  such  appeal  by  either  party  shall,  lay  a 
statement  of  the  facts  of  the  case  before  one  of  the  justices  of  the 
supreme  court,  whose  decision  shall  be  final. 

SEC.  3.  The  commissioner  of  public  schools  may  from  time 
to  time  prescribe  rules  regulating  the  time  and  manner  of  taking 
such  appeals,  and  rules  to  prevent  appeals  for  trifling  and 
frivolous  causes. 


NORMAL    SCHOOL,    INSTITUTES    AND    LECTURES. 


29 


SEC.  4.     Parties  having  any  matter  of  dispute  between  them  submissions  to 

commissioner 

arising  under  this  title,  may  agree  in  writing  to  submit  the  same  by  agreement, 

to  be  final. 

to  the  adjudication  of  said  commissioner,  and  his  decision  there- 
in shall  be  final. 

SEC.  5.     In  any  civil  suit  before  any  court  against  any  school  Costs   not 

taxed,  when. 

officer  for  any  matter  which  might  by  this  chapter  have  been     n  R- 1.  596. 
heard  and  decided  by  the  commissioner  of  public  schools,  no 
costs  shall  be  taxed  for  the  plaintiff  if  the  court  is  of  opinion  that 
such  officer  acted  in  good  faith. 

SEC.  6.   The  commissioner  of  public  schools  may,  by  and  with  School  com- 
missioner may 

fines, 


the  advice  and  consent  of  the  board  of  education,  remit  all  fines,  when 
penalties  and  forfeitures  incurred  by  any  town,  or  person,  under 
any  of  the  provisions  of  this  title,  except  the  forfeiture  incurred 
by  any  town  for  not  raising  its  proportion  of  money. 


CHAPTER  71. 


Of  the  Normal  School,  Teachers1  Institutes  and  Lectures. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  63. 
13  R.  I.  454. 


SECTION 

1.  Normal  school,  how  managed. 

2.  Qualification  for  free  tuition. 

3.  Admission     of     pupils     to     normal 

school. 

4.  Diplomas  to  whom. 


SECTION 

5.  Travelling  expenses  of  pupils. 

6.  Appropriation    for    institutes    and 

lectures. 

7.  Annual  account  of  commissioner  of 

public  schools. 


SECTION  1.     The  normal  school  shall  be  under  the  manage-  Normal  school 

how  to  be  man- 


ment  of  the  board  of  education  and  the  commissioner  of  public 
schools  as  a  board  of  trustees. 


T  602 


SEC.  2.     All  applicants  from  the  several  towns  in  the  state  Qualification 

for  free  tuition. 

shall  be  admitted  to  free  tuition  in  said  school,  after  having     4  R-  L  590> 
passed  such  an  examination  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  board 
of  trustees,  and  after  having  given  to  such  board  satisfactory 
evidence  of  their  intention  to  teach  in  the  public  schools  of  this 
state  for  at  least  one  year  after  leaving  the  said  school. 


30 


LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 


Of  the  admis- 
sion of  certain 
pupils  to  the 
normal  school. 
Pub.  Laws, 
861,  Mar.  29, 
1901. 


Diplomas,  to 
whom. 
Pub.  Laws, 
779,  May  30, 
1900. 


Travelling  ex- 
penses of  pupils 
may  be  paid. 
When. 
Pub.  Laws, 
719,  Feb.  9, 
1900. 

Amended  by 
Pub.  Laws, 
960,  Mar.  27, 
1902. 


Appropriation 
for  institutes 
and  lectures. 


Annual  account 
of  commis- 
sioner of  pub- 
lic schools. 


SEC.  3.  The  trustees  may  admit  to  the  classes  of  said  school 
persons  not  intending  to  teach  in  the  public  schools  of  the  state 
upon  the  payment  by  them  of  such  tuition  fees  as  may  be  deter- 
mined by  the  trustees.  They  shall  make,  each  term,  a  return  to 
the  general  treasurer  of  all  moneys  received  by  them  in  pursu- 
ance of  the  aforesaid  authority. 

SEC.  4.  Persons  who  shall  have  passed  the  regular  course  of 
studies  at  the  normal  school  shall  on  the  written  recommenda- 
tion of  the  principal  receive  a  diploma  issued  by  the  trustees  of 
the  school. 

SEC.  5.  The  trustees  of  the  normal  school  may  pay  to  each 
pupil  who  shall  reside  within  the  state  who  shall  have  been  duly 
admitted  thereto,  and  who  shall  have  attended  the  regular  ses- 
sions of  said  school  and  complied  with  the  regulations  thereof 
during  the  term  next  preceding  such  payments,  not  exceeding 
twenty-five  dollars  for  each  quarter-year  for  travelling  expenses; 
but  such  payments  in  the  aggregate  for  such  travelling  expenses 
shall  not  exceed  the  sum  of  four  thousand  dollars  in  any  one  year, 
and  shall  be  made  to  the  respective  pupils  entitled  to  the  same 
in  proportion  to  the  distance  they  may  reside  from  said  school. 

SEC.  6.  A  sum  not  exceeding  five  hundred  dollars  shall  be 
annually  paid  for  defraying  the  necessary  expenses  and  charges 
for  teachers  and  lecturers  for  teachers'  institutes,  to  be  holden 
under  the  direction  of  the  commissioner  of  public  schools;  and  a 
sum  not  exceeding  three  hundred  dollars  shall  be  annually  paid 
under  the  direction  of  the  board  of  education  for  publishing  and 
distributing  among  the  several  towns  educational  publications, 
providing  lectures  on  educational  topics  and  otherwise  pro- 
moting the  interests  of  education  in  the  state. 

SEC.  7.  The  commissioner  of  public  schools  shall  render  an 
annual  account  to  the  state  auditor  of  his  expenditures  under 
the  provisions  of  this  chapter  with  his  vouchers  therefor. 


ATTENDANCE    OF    CHILDREN    IN    PUBLIC 


CHAPTER  72. 

Of  Truant  Children,  and  of  the  Attendance  of  Children  in  the 
Public  Schools. 


31 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  64. 

13  R.  I.  299. 

13  R.  I.  454. 


SECTION 

1.  Attendance  at  day  schools  required. 

2.  Private  schools  may  be  approved. 

3.  Truant  officers,  how  appointed. 

4.  Truant   officers   to   visit   places   of 

employment. 


SECTION 

5.  Truant    officers    may    complain    of 

habitual     truants.     Court     may 
place  on  probation. 

6.  Fines,  how  to  inure. 

7.  Jurisdiction  of  district  courts. 

8.  Truant    officers    not     required     to 

give  surety  for  costs. 


SECTION  1.     Every  child  who  has  completed  seven  years  of  children  to  at- 
tend a  public 
life  and  has  not  completed  fifteen  years  of  life,  unless  he  has  com-  ^^t^in01" 

pleted  in  the  public  schools  the  elementary  studies  taught  in  the  f>auc£  i?aw>, 
first  eight  years  of  school  attendance,  exclusive  of  kindergarten  1902'.  * 
instruction,  provided  for  in  the  course  of  study  adopted  by  the 
school  committee  of  the  city  or  town  wherein  such  child  resides, 
or  unless  he  shall  have  completed  fourteen  years  of  life  and  shall 
be  lawfully  employed  at  labor  or  at  service  or  engaged  in  busi- 
ness, shall  regularly  attend  some  public  day-school  during  all  the 
days  and  hours  that  the  public  schools  are  in  session  in  the  city 
or  town,  wherein  he  resides;  and  every  person  having  under  his 
control  a  child  as  above  described  in  this  section,  shall  cause  such 
child  to  attend  school  as  required  by  the  above-stated  provisions 
of  this  section,  and  for  every  neglect  of  such  duty  the  person 
having  control  of  such  child  shall  be  fined  not  exceeding  twenty  S^for'  certain 
dollars :  Provided,  that  if  the  person  so  charged  shall  prove  or 
shall  present  a  certificate,  made  by  or  under  the  direction  of  the 
school  committee  of  the  city  or  town  wherein  he  resides,  setting 
forth  that  the  child  has  already  completed  the  elementary  studies 
above  mentioned;  or  that  the  child  has  attended  for  the  required 
period  of  time  a  private  day  school,  or  upon  private  instruction, 
approved  by  the  school  committee  of  the  city  or  town  where  said 
private  school  was  located  or  said  private  instruction  was  given; 


32 


LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 


and  duties  of. 


or  that  the  physical  or  mental  condition  of  the  child  was  such  as 
to  render  his  attendance  at  school  inexpedient  or  impracticable  ; 
or  that  the  child  was  destitute  of  clothing  suitable  for  attending 
school  and  that  the  person  having  control  of  said  child  was  un- 
able to  provide  suitable  clothing;  or  that  the  child  was  excluded 
from  school  by  virtue  of  some  general  law  or  regulation  —  then 
such  attendance  shall  not  be  obligatory  nor  shall  such  penalty 
be  incurred;  but  nothing  in  this  section  shall  be  construed  to 
allow  the  absence  or  irregular  attendance  of  any  child  who  is 
enrolled  as  a  member  of  any  school,  or  of  any  child  sent  to  school 
by  the  person  having  control  of  such  child. 

SEC.  2.  For  the  purposes  of  this  chapter  the  school  com- 
mittee shall  approve  a  private  school  or  private  instruction  only 
when  they  are  satisfied  that  the  period  of  attendance  of  the  pupil 
in  such  school  or  upon  such  instruction  is  substantially  equal  to 
that  required  by  law  of  a  child  attending  a  public  school  in  the 
same  city  or  town;  that  the  teaching  in  such  school  or  such  in- 
struction in  all  studies  except  foreign  languages,  and  any  studies 
not  taught  in  the  public  schools,  is  in  the  English  language;  that 
such  teaching  or  instruction  is  thorough  and  efficient  ;  and  that 
registers  are  kept  and  returns  to  the  school  committee  and  truant 
officers  in  relation  to  the  attendance  of  pupils  are  made  the 
same  as  by  the  public  schools. 

^EC*  3-  The  school  committee  of  each  city  or  town  shall 
annuaiiy  in  the  month  of  December  appoint  one  or  more  persons 
as  truant  officers,  who  shall  by  virtue  of  said  appointment  be 
clothed  with  the  power  of  special  constables,  and  fix  their  com- 
pensation, which  shall  be  payable  from  the  appropriation  for 
public  schools.  The  school  committee  may  also  furnish  all 
necessary  supplies  and  clerical  assistance  for  the  proper  and 
efficient  performance  of  the  duties  of  the  truant  officer.  The 
school  committee  of  two  or  more  cities  or  towns  may  appoint 
the  same  truant  officer  or  officers,  and  any  school  committee 
that  appoints  teachers  or  other  employees  on  a  different  tenure 


ATTENDANCE    OF   CHILDREN    IN    PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  33 

of  office  than  annual  appointments,  may  appoint  truant  officers 
on  a  similar  tenure  in  lieu  of  the  annual  appointment  above 
mentioned  in  this  section  and  may  fix  their  compensation  from 
time  to  time.  Said  truant  officers  shall  under  the  direction  of 
the  school  committee  inquire  into  all  cases  arising  under  pro- 
visions of  this  chapter,  and  shall  alone  be  authorized,  in  case  of 
violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  to  make  com- 
plaint therefor:  they  may  also  serve  all  legal  processes  issued  in 
pursuance  of  this  chapter,  but  shall  not  be  entitled  to  receive 
any  fees  for  such  service:  Provided,  however,  that  in  case  of  the 
commitment  of  any  person  under  the  provisions  of  any  section 
of  this  chapter,  or  for  default  of  payment  of  any  fine  and  costs 
imposed  thereunder,  such  officer  shall  be  entitled  to  the  regular 
fees  allowed  by  law  for  similar  service. 

SEC.  4.     The  truant  officers  may  visit  any  places  or  establish-  Truant  officers 

ments  where  such  minor  children  as  are  described  in  the  pre-  places  of  em- 

ployment and 
ceding  sections  of  this   chapter  are   employed,   to   ascertain  JJJ8*1"^0*  ^Jj 

whether  the  provisions  of  this  chapter  are  duly  complied  with,  2°  children61" 

and  may  as  often  as  twice  in  every  year  demand  from  all  em- 

ployers of  such  children  a  report  containing  the  names  of  all 

children  who  have  not  completed  sixteen  years  of  life  that  are 

employed  by  them,  such  report  to  give  the  names,  ages,  and 

residences  of  all  such  children  ;  and  all  employers  of  such  children 

shall,  upon  request,  produce  for  the  inspection  of  the  truant 

officer  the  certificates  prescribed  in  chapter  seventy-eight  ;  and 

for  any  refusal  to  make  such  reports  as  are  above  provided  for, 

or  for  any  refusal  to  produce  the  above-mentioned  certificates, 

any  employer  of  such  children  shall  be  fined  not  exceeding  ten 

dollars. 

SEC.  5.     Every  habitual  truant,  that  is,  every  child  who  is  re-  Truant  officer 

may  complain 

quired  under  section  one  of  this  chapter  to  attend  school  and  of  an  habitual 

truant  or  habit- 

who  wilfully  and  habitually  absents  himself  therefrom;  and 


every  habitual  school  offender,  that  is,  every  child  who  is  re- 

mitted,  where. 

quired  to  attend  school  under  the  provisions  of  section  one  of 


34 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


Court  may 
place  such  of- 
fender on  pro- 
bation. 


Fines,  how  to 
inure. 


Jurisdiction  of 
district  courts. 


this  chapter,  but  who  persistently  violates  the  rules  and  regula- 
tions of  the  school  which  he  attends,  or  otherwise  persistently 
misbehaves  therein,  so  as  to  render  himself  a  fit  subject  for 
exclusion  therefrom,  may  be  complained  of  by  the  truant  officer 
for  being  an  habitual  truant,  or  habitual  school  offender,  as  the 
case  may  be,  and  upon  such  complaint  and  conviction  of  the 
offence  charged  in  such  complaint,  shall  be  committed  to  the 
Sockanosset  School  for  Boys,  or  to  the  Oaklawn  School  for 
Girls,  for  a  period  not  exceeding  his  minority:  Provided,  how- 
ever, that  any  court  or  magistrate  by  whom  a  child  has  been  con- 
victed of  an  offence  under  this  chapter  may  in  his  discretion 
defer  sentence  and  place  such  child  on  probation  in  the  custody 
and  control  of  a  truant  officer  of  the  city  or  town  wherein  such 
child  resides,  or  of  a  probation  officer,  for  such  period  of  time 
and  upon  such  conditions  as  said  court  or  magistrate  may  deem 
best;  and  whenever  within  such  period  the  child  violates  the 
conditions  of  his  probation,  he  shall  be  brought  into  court  and 
said  court  or  magistrate  may  in  his  discretion  place  such  child 
on  further  probation  in  the  custody  and  control  of  the  state 
board  of  charities  and  corrections  for  such  period  of  time  and 
upon  such  conditions  as  said  court  or  magistrate  may  deem  best ; 
and  whenever  within  such  period  the  child  violates  the  condition 
of  his  further  probation,  he  shall  be  brought  into  court  and 
receive  sentence  for  the  offence  of  which  he  was  convicted  when 
he  was  placed  on  probation:  Provided,  however,  that  the  child 
may  at  any  time  demand  that  sentence  be  passed  upon  him; 
and  also  provided,  that  the  court  or  magistrate,  whenever  con- 
vinced that  the  child  has  reformed,  may  discontinue  the  com- 
plaint without  sentence. 

SEC.  6.  All  fines  under  the  provisions  of  this  chapter  shall 
inure  and  be  applied  to  the  support  of  the  public  schools  in  the 
city  or  town  where  the  offence  was  committed. 

SEC.  7.     The  district  courts  of  the  state  shall  have  juris- 


GENERAL    PROVISIONS    RELATING    TO    SCHOOLS. 


35 


diction  in  their  respective  districts  of  all  cases  arising  under 
this  chapter. 

SEC.  8.     No  officer  complaining  under  any  of  the  provisions  Truant  officer  . 

,  -  i     complaining, 

of  this  chapter  shall  be  required  to  give  surety  for  costs;  and  not  required  to 

give  surety  for 

such  officer  shall  not  in   anywise  become  liable  for  any  costs  costs. 
that  may  accrue  on  such  complaint. 


CHAPTER  73. 


General  Provisions  Relating  to  Public  Schools. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  65. 
13  R.  I.  454. 


SECTION 

1.  Exclusion  from   school   by  general 

rule. 

2.  Penalty  for  neglect  of  duties. 

3.  Schools  aided  by  state  to  be  visited. 

4.  Penalty  for  refusal. 

5.  Nuisances  prohibited  near   school- 

house. 

6.  School  committee  of  city  of  Provi- 

dence. 


SECTION 

7.  Fees  prohibited  to  school  officers. 

8.  Offering  of  fees  prohibited. 

9.  Children  of  deceased  soldiers  and 

sailors  admitted  free,  when. 
10.     No  pupil  allowed  to  attend  school 
without    certificate    of   vaccina- 
tion. 

11.  Penalty. 

12.  Special  statutes  to  prevail. 


SECTION  1.     No  person  shall  be  excluded  from  any  public  Exclusion  to  be 
school  on  account  of  race  or  color,  or  for  being  over  fifteen  years  ruie8^' 
of  age,  nor  except  by  force  of  some  general  regulation  applicable 
to  all  persons  under  the  same  circumstances. 

SEC.  2.     Every  school  officer  who  shall  make  any  false  cer-  Penalty  for  ne_ 
tificate,  or  appropriate  any  public  school  money  to  any  purpose  glec 
not  authorized  by  law,  or  who  shall  refuse  for  a  reasonable 
charge  to  give  certified  copies  of  any  official  paper,  or  to  account 
for  or  deliver  to  his  successor  any  accounts,  papers  or  moneys 
in  his  hands,  or  shall  wilfully  or  knowingly  refuse  to  perform  any 
duty  of  his  office,  or  violate  any  provisions  of  any  law  regulating 
public  schools,  except  where  a  particular  penalty  may  be  pre- 
scribed, shall  be  fined  not  exceeding  five  hundred  dollars  or  be 
imprisoned  not  exceeding  six  months,  and  shall  be  liable  to  an 


36 


LAWS    RELATIXG    TO    EDUCATION. 


Schools  aided 
by  state  to  be 
visited. 


Penalty  for  re- 
fusal. 


Nuisances  pro- 
hibited near 
school-houses. 


Pub.  Laws, 
420,  Oct.  2, 
1896. 


School  com- 
mittee, city  of 
Providence. 


Fees,  or  pecu- 
niary interest 
in  supplies, 
prohibited  to 
the  school  offi- 
cers. 


action  of  the  case  for  damages  to  be  brought  by  any  person  in- 
jured thereby. 

SEC.  3.  Any  school  receiving  aid  from  the  state,  either  by 
direct  grant  or  by  exemption  from  taxation,  may  be  visited  and 
examined  by  the  school  committee  of  the  town  in  which  such 
school  is  situated,  and  by  the  members  of  the  board  of  education 
and  the  commissioner  of  public  schools,  whenever  they  shall 
deem  it  advisable. 

SEC.  4.  Whenever  such  school  shall  refuse  to  permit  such 
visitation,  when  requested,  its  exemption  from  taxation  shall 
thereafter  cease  and  be  determined. 

SEC.  5.  No  person  shall  keep  any  swine  in  any  pen  or  other 
enclosure,  or  shall  keep  or  suffer  to  be  kept  any  other  nuisance, 
within  one  hundred  feet  of  any  school-house  or  within  one 
hundred  feet  of  any  fence  enclosing  the  yard  of  any  such  school- 
house. 

SEC.  6.  In  the  city  of  Providence  the  school  committee  of 
said  city  shall  hereafter  employ  the  superintendent  and  teachers, 
have  charge  and  custody  of  all  school  buildings  and  school 
property,  manage  and  regulate  the  schools,  and  draw  all  orders 
for  the  payment  of  their  expenses  from  the  money  appropriated 
by  the  city  council  for  the  support  of  public  schools:  Provided, 
however,  that  the  city  council  of  said  city  shall  have  the  expendi- 
ture of  all  sums  appropriated  for  the  purchase  of  land  for  school 
purposes  or  for  the  improvement  of  the  same  or  for  the  con- 
struction or  repair  of  school  buildings. 

SEC.  7.  No  superintendent  or  school  committee  of  any  town, 
or  any  person  officially  connected  with  the  government  or  direc- 
tion of  the  public  schools,  shall  receive  any  private  fee,  gratuity, 
donation  or  compensation  in  any  manner  whatsoever  for  pro- 
moting the  sale  or  the  exchange  of  any  school-book,  map  or 
chart  in  any  public  school,  or  be  an  agent  for  the  sale  or  the 
publisher  of  any  school  text-book,  or  be  directly  or  indirectly 
pecuniarily  interested  in  the  introduction  of  any  school  text- 


GENERAL    PROVISIONS    RELATING    TO    SCHOOLS.  37 

l>ook;  and  any  such  agency  or  interest  shall  disqualify  any  per- 
son so  acting  or  interested  from  holding  any  school  office  what- 
soever. 

SEC.  8.     No  person  shall  offer  to  any  public  school  officer  any  Offering  of 

fees,  etc.,  pro- 
fee,  commission  or  compensation  whatsoever,  as  an  inducement   '"bited. 

to  effect  through  such  officer  any  sale  or  promotion  of  sale,  or 
exchange,  of  any  school-book,  map,  chart  or  school-apparatus. 

SEC.  9.     All  the  public  schools  in  the  state,  including  the  children  of  de- 
State  Normal  School,  shall  be  open  to  the  children  of  officers  and  sailors  ad- 
mitted free, 

-and  soldiers  belonging;  to  the  state,  mustered  into  the  service  of  when- 

12  R.  I.  574 

the  United  States,  and  of  those  persons  belonging  to  the  state, 
and  serving  in  the  navy  of  the  United  States,  who  died  in  said 
service  during  the  late  rebellion  against  the  authority  of  the 
United  States,  or  who  were  discharged  from  said  service  in  con- 
sequence of  wounds  or  disease  contracted  in  said  service,  or  who 
were  killed  in  battle,  without  any  cost  or  expense  for  taxes  or 
•other  charges  imposed  for  purposes  of  public  education. 

SEC.  10.     No  person  shall  be  permitted  to  attend  any  public  NO  pupu  al- 
lowed to  attend 
school  in  this  state  as  a  pupil,  unless  such  person  shall  furnish  to  a  public  school 


the  teacher  of  such  school  a  certificate  of  some  practising  physi-  tifica.te  9f 


without  a  cer 
tificate   of 
vaccination. 

•cian  that  such  person  has  been  properly  vaccinated  as  a  pro- 
tection from  small-pox;  and  every  teacher  in  the  public  schools 
shall  keep  a  record  of  the  names  of  such  pupils  in  their  respective 
schools  as  have  presented  such  certificate. 

SEC.   11.     Every  person  violating  any  provision  of  this  chap-  Penalty  for 

violating  this 

ter  shall  be  fined  not  exceeding  fifty  dollars  or  be  imprisoned  not  chapter, 
•exceeding  thirty  days,  unless  herein  otherwise  provided. 

SEC.  12.  The  foregoing  provisions  of  this  title  are  subject  to 
the  provisions  of  any  special  statutes  respecting  schools,  or  the 
management  of  schools,  in  any  particular  town  or  city,  none  of 
which  are  repealed  hereby. 


38 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


Pub.  Laws, 
544,  Ma,y  4, 
1898. 


Consolidation 
of  ungraded 
schools. 


Town  main- 
taining high 
school  entitled 
to  allowance. 


CHAPTER  74. 

General  Provisions  to  Secure  a.  Uniform  High  Standard  in  the 
Public  Schools  of  the  State. 


SKCTICW 

1.  Consolidation  of   ungraded  schools. 

2.  Town  maintaining  high  school  en- 

titled to  allowance. 

3.  Applications    for    aid    under    this 

chapter. 


SECTION 

4.  Forfeiture  of  claim  to  state  assist- 

ance, when. 

5.  Annual  appropriation. 

6.  How  apportioned. 

7.  School  committee  may  consolidate 

schools,  when. 


SECTION  1 .  In  case  any  town  shall  consolidate  three  or  more 
ungraded  schools,  and  instead  thereof  shall  establish  and  main- 
tain a  graded  school  of  two  or  more  departments  with  an  "  aver- 
age number  belonging''  of  not  less  than  twenty  pupils  for  each 
department,  the  state  shall  pay  to  such  town  one  hundred 
dollars  annually  for  each  department  of  said  schools  towards  the 
support  thereof.  Two  or  more  towns  may  unite  in  the  estab- 
lishment and  maintenance  of  such  graded  school,  and  in  such 
cases  the  money  paid  by  the  state  towards  the  support  thereof 
shall  be  divided  between  the  towns  thus  maintaining  said  school 
according  to  the  number  of  pupils  contributed  by  each  town  to 
the  whole  ''average  number  belonging.'' 

SEC.  2.  Any  to\vn  maintaining  a  high  school  having  a  course 
of  study  approved  by  the  state  board  of  education,  shall  be  en- 
titled to  receive  annually  from  the  state  twenty  dollars  for  each 
pupil  in  average  attendance  for  the  first  twenty-five  pupils,  and 
ten  dollars  for  each  pupil  in  average  attendance  for  the  second 
twenty-five  pupils.  Any  town  not  maintaining  a  high  school, 
which  shall  make  provision  for  the  free  attendance  of  its  children 
at  some  high  school  or  academy  approved  by  the  state  board  of 
education,  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  aid  from  the  state  for 
each  pupil  in  such  attendance  upon  the  same  basis  and  to  the 
same  extent  as  if  it  maintained  a  high  school  by  itself.  (See 
Chap.  446,  Pub.  Laws.) 


UNIFORM    HIGH    STANDARD    IN    PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  39 


SEC.  3.  All  applications  for  aid  under  this  chapter  shall  be 
made  to  the  commissioner  of  public  schools  by  the  school  com- 
mittee of  the  town;  and  said  application  must  be  accompanied 
by  the  certificate  of  the  principal  teacher  of  the  school  on  account 
of  which  the  application  is  made,  setting  forth  the  facts  relating 
to  the  attendance  which  is  made  the  basis  of  the  application. 

SEC.  4.     After  anv  school,  such  as  is  provided  for  in  section   Forfeiture  of 

claim  to  state 

one  of  this  chapter,  has  been  established  it  shall  not  forfeit  its  assistance- 
claim  to  its  share  of  the  state  aid  for  a  failure  to  maintain  the 
required   "  average  number  belonging'7   unless  said   "average 
number  belonging"  falls  below  fifteen  for  the  several  depart- 
ments. 

SEC.  5.  The  sum  of  twenty  thousand  dollars,  or  so  much  Annual  appro- 
thereof  as  may  be  needed,  shall  be  annually  appropriated  for 
the  payment  of  the  several  sums  which  may  become  due  and 
payable  under  the  provisions  of  this  chapter;  and  the  state  audi- 
tor is  hereby  authorized  and  directed  to  draw  his  orders  on  the 
general  treasurer  in  favor  of  such  towns  for  such  sums  as  shall 
be  certified  to  him  by  the  commissioner  of  public  schools  as  due 
to  said  towrns  under  the  provisions  of  this  chapter. 

SEC.  6.     In  the  apportionment  of  the  annual  appropriation  of  HOW  appor- 

tioned. 

one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  dollars  provided  by  law  for 
the  support  of  public  schools,  no  town  shall  forfeit  any  portion 
thereof  hereafter  on  account  of  any  reduction  in  the  number  of  its 
schools,  by  reason  of  the  consolidation  thereof  in  accordance  with 
the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  but  each  town  shall  continue  to  be 
entitled  to  the  same  amount  from  said  annual  appropriation 
upon  the  basis  of  the  number  of  schools  prior  to  such  consoli- 
dation. 

SEC.  7.     The  school  committee  of  any  town  may,  subject  to  School  com- 

naittee  may 

the  approval  of  the  commissioner  of  public  schools,  consolidate  consolidate 

schools,  when. 

any  schools  the  average  number  belonging  to  each  of  which  is 
less  than  twelve,  or  may  unite  such  school  or  schools  with  some 
other  school  in  order  to  establish  a  graded  school  or  to  secure 


40 


LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 


greater  efficiency  of  the  schools;  and  said  committee  shall  have 
authority  to  provide,  in  their  discretion,  transportation  for  pu- 
pils to  and  from  school. 


Pub.  Laws, 
1306,  Mar.  9, 
1906. 


Towns  may 
take  and  con- 
demn land  for 
school  pur- 


Condemnation 
proceedings. 


CHAPTER  75. 

Of  Enabling  Towns  to  Condemn  Land  for  School  Purposes. 


SECTION 

1.  Towns  may  condemn  land  for  school 

purposes. 

2.  Condemnation  proceedings. 


SECTION 

3.  Persons    aggrieved    to    claim    jury 

trial. 

4.  Remedy  of  person  failing  to  receive 
personal  notice. 


SECTION  1.  Any  town,  from  time  to  time,  may  take  lands 
therein,  improved  or  unimproved,  for  the  location  of  school- 
houses,  the  enlargement  of  school-house  lots,  and  for  school  pur- 
poses, provided  that  the  amount  of  the  same  at  any  one  taking 
shall  not  exceed  one  acre. 

SEC.  2.  If  any  town  has  already  passed  or  shall  hereafter 
pass  a  vote  to  erect  a  school-house  or  to  enlarge  a  school-house 
lot,  and  the  school  committee  shall  fix  upon  a  location  for  such 
school-house  in  said  town  or  shall  determine  that  a  school-lot 
ought  to  be  enlarged,  the  said  school  committee  of  said  town 
shall,  within  six  months  from  the  date  of  the  passage  of  a  resolu- 
tion by  said  school  committee  to  take  any  land  for  such  purpose 
or  purposes,  file  in  the  records  of  land  evidence  for  said  town 
a  description  of  the  land,  and  also  a  plat  thereof,  and  a  state- 
ment that  the  same  is  taken  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  this 
chapter,  which  description  and  statement  shall  be  signed  by  the 
chairman  or  president  of  the  said  school  committee,  and  upon  the 
filing  of  such  description,  statement,  and  plat,  the  title  in  fee- 
simple  of  such  land  shall  vest  in  said  town;  and  after  the  filing 
of  such  description,  statement,  and  plat,  notice  of  the  taking  of 
such  land  shall  be  served  upon  the  owners  of  and  persons  having 


TO    CONDEMN    LAND    FOR    SCHOOL    PURPOSES.  41 

an  estate  in  and  interested  in  such  land  by  the  town  sergeant  of 
said  town  leaving  a  true  and  attested  copy  of  such  description 
and  statement  with  each  of  such  persons  personally,  or  at  their 
last  and  usual  place  of  abode  in  this  state  with  some  person  living 
there,  and,  in  case  any  of  such  persons  are  absent  from  this  state 
and  have  no  last  and  usual  place  of  abode  therein  occupied  by 
any  person,  or  in  case  the  -whereabouts  of  any  of  such  persons 
are  unknown  to  said  town  sergeant,  such  copy  shall  be  left  with 
the  persons,  if  any,  in  charge  of  or  having  possession  of  such 
land  taken  of  such  absent  person  and  persons  whose  whereabouts 
are  unknown,  and  another  copy  thereof  shall  be  mailed  to  the 
address  of  such  absent  persons  if  the  same  is  known  to  said 
officer;  and  after  the  filing  of  such  description  and  statement, 
the  town  clerk  of  said  town  shall  cause  a  copy  of  such  description 
and  statement  to  be  published  in, some  newspaper  published  in 
the  county  in  which  said  town  is  located  at  least  twice  a  week 
for  three  successive  weeks;  and  if  any  party  shall  agree  with  said 
school  committee  for  the  price  of  the  land  so  taken,  the  same 
shall  be  paid  to  him  forthwith  by  said  town. 

SEC.  3.     Any  owner  of  or  person  entitled  to  any  estate  in  or  Any  person  ag- 
grieved at 

interested  in  any  part  of  the  land  so  taken,  who  cannot  agree  award  of  dam- 
ages may  claim 

with  said  school  committee  for  the  price  of  the  land  so  taken  in  jury  tr 
which  he  is  interested  as  aforesaid,  may,  within  three  months 
after  personal  notice  of  said  taking,  or,  if  he  have  no  personal 
notice,  may,  within  one  year  from  the  filing  of  the  description, 
statement,  and  plat  referred  to  in  section  two  of  this  chapter, 
apply  by  petition  to  the  superior  court  held  for  the  county  where 
said  land  is  located,  setting  forth  the  taking  of  his  land  and 
praying  for  an  assessment  of  damages  by  a  jury.  Upon  the  filing 
of  said  petition  the  said  court  shall  cause  twenty  days'  notice  of 
the  pendency  thereof  to  be  given  to  said  town  by  serving  the 
town  treasurer  of  said  town  with  a  certified  copy  thereof,  and 
may  proceed  after  such  notice  to  the  trial  thereof;  and  such  trial 
shall  determine  all  questions  of  fact  relating  to  the  value  of 


42 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


Remedy  of 
person  failing 
to  receive  per- 
sonal notice  of 
the  taking  of 
kis  land. 


such  land  and  the  amount  thereof;  and  shall  be  conducted  in 
every  respect  as  other  civil  cases  are  tried,  including  the  right 
to  except  to  rulings  and  apply  for  new  trial  for  cause.  In  case 
of  conflicting  claims  to  such  land  by  any  two  or  more  petitioners,, 
said  court  may  set  down  the  petitions  of  such  petitioners  for 
trial  at  the  same  time  by  the  same  jury,  and  may  frame  all 
necessary  issues  for  the  trial  thereof. 

SEC.  4.  In  case  any  owner  of  or  person  having  an  estate  in  or 
interested  in  such  land  shall  fail  to  receive  personal  notice  of  the 
taking  of  such  land,  and  shall  fail  to  file  his  petition  as  provided 
in  section  three  of  this  chapter,  said  court  in  its  discretion  may 
permit  the  filing  of  such  petition  subsequent  to  said  period  of 
one  year  from  the  filing  of  such  description  and  statement  : 
Provided,  such  person  shall  have  had  no  actual  knowledge  of 
the  taking  of  such  land  in  season  to  file  such  petition;  and  pro- 
vided, said  town,  after  the  filing  of  such  description  and  state- 
ment, shall  not  have  paid  any  other  persons  claiming  to  own 
such  land  the  price  or  value  of  the  same,  or  be  liable  to  pay  for 
the  same  under  any  judgment  rendered  against  said  town  under 
the  provisions  of  this  chapter. 


Gen.  Laws. 
1896,  Ch.  66. 
17  R.  I.  815. 


CHAPTER  76. 


Of  the  Rhode  Island  College  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts*' 


SECTION     ' 

1.  Continued    a    body    corporate    for 

what  purposes. 

2.  Location.     To    have    moneys    re- 

ceived from  the  United  States. 

3.  Board  of  managers;    term  of  office, 

vacancies,  and  residence. 


SECTILON 

4.  Officers  of  the  board. 

5.  Duties  of  officers  and  teachers. 

6.  May  summon   witnesses. 

7.  Expenses  of  members  of  board. 


R.  I.  College          SECTION  1.     The  present  board  of  managers  of  the  Rhode 

of  Agriculture  .. 

and  Mechanic     island  College  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts,  and  their 

Arts,  is  to  con- 

co"porate°dy      successors,  for  the  terms  for  which  they  have  been  or  for  which 

*  Name  changed  to  Rhode  Island  College  in  1909. 


COLLEGE    OF    AGRICULTURE    AND    MECHANIC    ARTS.  43 

they  hereafter  may  be  appointed  or  elected  as  such  managers, 
shall  continue  to  be  a  body  politic  and  corporate  for  the  purpose 

Leading  object. 

of  continuing  and  maintaining  said  college  corporation  as  a 
college  where  the  leading  object  shall  be,  without  excluding 
other  scientific  and  classical  studies,  and  including  military 
tactics,  to  teach  such  branches  of  learning  as  are  related  to 
agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts,  in  order  to  promote  the 
liberal  and  practical  education  of  the  industrial  classes  in  the 
several  pursuits  and  professions  of  life,  as  provided  in  the  act  of 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States  approved  July  two,  eighteen 
hundred  sixty-two,  entitled  "An  act  donating  public  lands  to 
the  several  states  and  territories  which  may  provide  colleges 
for  the  benefit  of  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts/7  and  for 
the  purpose  of  continuing  and  maintaining  an  agricultural  ex- 
periment-station as  a  department  of  said  college  under  and  in  station, 
accordance  with,  and  to  carry  out  the  purposes  of,  the  act  of 
Congress  approved  March  two,  eighteen  hundred  eighty-seven, 
entitled  "An  act  to  establish  agricultural  experiment-stations 
in  connection  with  the  colleges  established  in  the  several  states 
under  the  provisions  of  an  act  approved  July  two,  eighteen 
hundred  sixty-two,  and  of  the  acts  supplementary  thereto/' 
by  the  said  name  of  "Rhode  Island  College  of  Agriculture  and 
Mechanic  Arts/7  with  all  the  powers  and  privileges,  and  subject 
to  all  the  duties  and  liabilities  set  forth  in  chapter  two  hundred 
thirteen.  (See  Chap.  417,  Pub.  Laws.) 

SEC.  2.     Said   college   and    experiment-station  shall,   until   pub.  Laws, 

1353,  April  20, 

otherwise  ordered,  continue  to  be  located  in  the  town  of  South  isoe. 
Kingstown  upon  the  estate  now  occupied  by  them,  and  all 
moneys  hereafter  received  under  said  act  of  Congress,  approved 
March  two,  eighteen  hundred  eighty-seven,  and  under  the  act  of 
Congress  approved  August  thirty,  eighteen  hundred  ninety, 
entitled  "An  act  to  apply  a  portion  of  the  proceeds  of  the  public 
lands  to  the  more  complete  endowment  and  support  of  the  col- 
lege for  the  benefit  of  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts,  es- 


44 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


To  have  money 
received  from 
U.  S. 


Annual    appro- 
priation. 


Term  of  office 
and  appoint-  . 
ment  of  man- 
agers. 
Pub.  Laws, 
809,  Jan.  29, 
1901. 


tablished  under  the  provisions  of  an  act  of  Congress  approved 
July  two,  eighteen  hundred  sixty-two,"  and  all  other  moneys 
which  shall  be  received  by  the  state  for  the  promotion  of  agri- 
culture or  the  mechanic  arts  under  or  by  virtue  of  an  act  of 
Congress  shall,  as  and  when  received,  be  paid  over  to  the  treas- 
urer for  the  time  being  of  said  college  corporation,  to  be  used 
and  applied  and  accounted  for  by  the  managers  and  officers 
of  said  corporation  for  the  time  being,  as  required  by  the  re- 
spective acts  of  Congress  under  which  the  same  are  received,  and 
the  sum  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  is  hereby  annually  ap- 
propriated for  the  purpose  of  defraying  the  expenses  of  said 
college  corporation,  the  same  to  be  expended  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  managers  and  officers  of  said  corporation  for  the 
time  being.  And  the  managers  and  officers  of  said  corporation 
shall  perform  all  the  duties  and  make  and  publish,  distribute  and 
render  all  bulletins  and  reports  required  by  said  acts  of  Congress 
or  by  any  acts  in  amendment  thereof  or  supplementary  thereto ; 
and  shall  also  report  to  the  general  assembly  annually  at  its 
January  session. 

SEC.  3.  The  board  of  managers  of  said  college  corporation 
shall  consist  of  five  members.  The  members  of  said  board  now 
in  office  shall  continue  to  hold  their  offices  until  the  expiration 
of  the  terms  for  which  they  were  respectively  appointed.  At 
the  January  session  of  the  general  assembly  in  each  year  the 
governor,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  shall  ap- 
point one  member  of  said  board  to  succeed  the  member  whose 
term  will  next  expire;  and  the  member  so  appointed  shall  hold 
his  office  until  the  first  day  of  February  in  the  fifth  year  after 
his  appointment.  Any  vacancy  which  may  occur  in  said  board 
when  the  senate  is  not  in  session  shall  be  filled  by  the  governor 
until  the  next  session  thereof,  when  he  shall,  with  the  advice  and 
consent  of  the  senate,  appoint  some  person  to  fill  such  vacancy 
for  the  remainder  of  the  term.  Every  future  member  of  said 
board  shall  be  a  domiciled  inhabitant  of  the  same  county  as  was 


COLLEGE    OF    AGRICULTURE    AND    MECHANIC    ARTS.  45 

the  retiring  member  of  the  board  whose  place  he  is  appointed  to 
fill.     (See  Chap.  383,  Pub.  Laws.) 

SEC.  4.     Said  board  of  managers  shall  annually  elect  one  of  Board  of  mana- 

gers, officers  of. 

their  own  number  to  be  president  of  the  board,  who  shall  also 

be  the  president  of  the  corporation  and  shall  continue  in  office 

until  his  successor  is  elected.     They  shall  also  from  time  to  time 

appoint  a  treasurer  and  a  clerk,  wTho  shall  also  be  officers  of  the 

corporation,  and  who  may  be,  but  need  not  necessarily  be,  the 

same  person  or  members  of  the  board,  and  who  shall  hold  their 

respective  offices  at  the  pleasure  of  the  board.     The  treasurer 

before  entering  upon  his  office  shall  give  bond  to  the  state  for  g^f  bond.*0 

the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duties,  in  form  to  be  approved  by 

the  attorney-general,  in  a  penal  sum  to  be  fixed  by  the  said 

board  of  managers  and  with  surety  or  sureties  to  be  approved  by 

the  governor;  such  bond  to  be  filed  and  to  be  kept  on  file  in  the 

office  of  the  secretary  of  state,  and  which  bond  shall  be  renewed 

whenever  required  by  the  board  of  managers  or  by  the  governor. 

And  the  treasurer  shall  make  a  full  detailed  report  annually  Treasurerto 

to  the  general  assembly,  at  its  January  session,  of  all  his  receipts  ™portan  annual 

and  expenditures,  properly  audited  by  the  board  of  managers 

or  a  committee  thereof. 

SEC.  5.     Said  board  of  managers  shall  have  the  general  care  Managers  to 

o,  T^.  ,.        .        employ  profes- 

and  management  ol  said  estate  in  south  Kingstown  and  of  said   sors,  make 

rules,  and  ap- 

college  and  experiment  station,  and  may  employ  professors,   point  a  faculty. 

teachers  and  other  persons  in  and  about  the  same  and  prescribe 

their  duties  and  fix  their  compensation,  and  from  time  to  time 

make  rules  and  regulations  for  their  government;  and  may  also 

make  by-laws,  rules,  and  regulations  to  govern  their  own  meet- 

ings and  proceedings.     Said  board  of  managers  shall  from  time   _ 

Faculty  to 

to  time  appoint  the  faculty  of  said  college;  and  such  faculty  shall 


f  ..  ,,  c  i  f  •  studies,  and  to- 

from  time  to  time  arrange  the  courses  of  study,  conforming  to   award  degrees 

and  diplomas. 

said  acts  of  Congress  in  this  behalf,  and  prescribe  such  qualifica- 
tions for  admission  of  students,  and  such  rules  of  study,  exercise, 
discipline,  and  government,  as  they  shall  deem  proper;  they 


46 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


May  summon 
witnesses,  com- 
pel attendance, 
and  administer 
oaths. 
Pub.  Laws, 
958,  Mar.  21, 
1902. 

Expenses  of 
members  of 
board  to  be  al- 
lowed. 
Pub.  Laws, 
1352,  April  20, 
1906. 


may  also  grant  academical  degrees  and  diplomas  appropriate  to 
the  courses  of  study  to  those  students  of  good  moral  character 
who  shall  have  pursued  the  prescribed  courses  and  passed  satis- 
factory examinations. 

SEC.  6.  The  board  of  managers  of  the  Rhode  Island  College 
of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts  are  hereby  empowered,  when- 
ever in  their  discretion  the  circumstances  may  require,  to  sum- 
mon witnesses,  compel  attendance,  and  administer  oaths. 

SEC.  7.  All  necessary  expenses  incurred  by  each  member  of 
the  board  of  managers  of  the  Rhode  Island  College  of  Agriculture 
and  Mechanic  Arts  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  shall  be  paid 
from  the  funds  of  the  state,  upon  the  presentation  of  proper 
vouchers  for  the  same  approved  by  the  governor. 


<5en.  Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  67. 


Appropriation 
for  the  R.  I. 
School  of  De- 
sign, how  paid; 
powers  of 
board  of  edu- 
cation. 


Annual  report. 


Ex-officio  di- 
rectors. 


CHAPTER    77. 
Of  State  Beneficiaries  at  the  Rhode  Island  School  of  Design. 


SECTION 

1.  Appropriation  for. 

2.  Annual  report. 

3.  Ex-officio  directors. 


SECTION 

4,  5.     State  beneficiaries,  and  hov 

pointed. 
6.     Tuition  fees,  how  paid. 


ap- 


SECTION  1.  Such  sums  as  shall  be  from  time  to  time  appro- 
priated by  the  general  assembly  to  the  Rhode  Island  School  of 
Design,  shall  be  paid  by  the  general  treasurer  upon  the  orders  of 
the  state  board  of  education,  who  are  hereby  empowered  and 
authorized  to  visit  and  examine  said  school  at  their  pleasure. 

SEC.  2.  The  directors  of  the  above  named  school  of  design 
shall  make  an  annual  report  to  the  state  board  of  education  in 
manner  and  form  prescribed  by  said  board  of  education. 

SEC.  3.  The  state  board  of  education  are  hereby  authorized 
and  empowered  to  elect  two  of  their  number  who,  by  virtue  of 
said  election,  shall  be  members  of  the  board  of  directors  of  said 
school  of  design. 


FACTORY    INSPECTION. 


47 


SEC.  4.  The  state  board  of  education  are  hereby  authorized  Appointment 

of  state  bene- 

to  appoint  as  state  beneficiaries  at  the  Rhode  Island  School  of 
Design,  persons  of  proper  age,  character  and  acquirements,  who 
have  not  the  means  of  defraying  the  expenses  of  instruction  in 
said  school  themselves. 

SEC.  5.     The  secretary  of  the  board  of  education  shall  receive  Appointments, 

how  to  be  made. 

and  file  in  their  order  the  applications  of  all  persons  who  desire 
to  receive  such  appointment;  and  in  making  their  appoint- 
ments the  board  shall,  as  far  as  practicable,  make  them  so  that 
the  people  of  the  several  counties  may  participate  in  the  ad- 
vantages as  nearly  as  possible  in  proportion  to  the  respective 
populations  of  the  counties  according  to  the  last  United  States 
census. 

SEC.  6.     For  the  purposes  of  this  chapter  the  sum  of  eight  Appropriation 

for  tuition  fees. 

thousand  dollars  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  needed  is  hereby  Pub.  Laws, 

J     1445,  April  19, 

annually  appropriated   from  any  money  in  the   treasury  not  1907> 
otherwise  appropriated,  to  be  paid   by  the  general  treasurer 
upon  the  order  of  the  state  auditor  upon  the  presentation  of 
proper  vouchers  approved  by  the  board  of  education. 


CHAPTER   78. 


Of  Factory  Inspection. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  68. 


SECTION 


1.  Children    under  fourteen    years   of 

age,  not  to  be  employed,  where. 

2.  Penalty  for  employing  child. 

3.  Factory  inspectors,  how  appointed. 

4.  Expenses. 

5.  Hoisting-shafts,  etc.,  to  be  inclosed. 

6.  Minor  under  sixteen  not  to  clean  ma- 

chinery. 

7.  Accidents  reported,  when. 

8.  Separate  dressing-rooms  to  be  pro- 

vided for  women. 

9.  Duties  of  inspectors. 


SECTION 

10.  Appeal  from  order  of  inspectors. 

11.  Factory  inspectors  to  have  office. 

12.  Penalties. 

13.  Printed  copies  of  this  chapter  to  be 

posted,  where. 

14.  Inspectors    not    required    to    give 

surety  for  costs. 

15.  Factory  inspectors,  additional  du- 

ties of. 

16.  Fresh  drinking-water  to  be  supplied 

to  employees. 

17.  Penalty. 


LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 

SECTION  1.     No  child  under  fourteen  years  of  age  shall  be 


pfoye°d,  wheVe.    employed  or  permitted  or  suffered  to  work  in  any  factory,  manu- 

Pub.  Laws, 

| sis,  Mar  9,       tacturmg  or  business  establishment  within  this  state,  and  no 

1905. 

child  under  sixteen  years  of  age  shall  be  employed  or  permitted 
16° years  of^e  or  sun?ere(^  *°  work  in  any  factory  or  manufacturing  or  business 
work  between0  establishment  within  this  state  between  the  hours  of  eight 
p.  M.  and  6  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  any  day  and  six  o'clock  in  the  fore- 

A.  M.,  where. 

noon  of  the  following  day:     Provided,  however,  that  this  restric- 

Exceptions. 

tion  as  to  hours  of  work  shall  not  apply  to  mercantile  estab- 
lishments on  Saturdays,  or  on  either  of  the  four  days  immedi- 
16° yS  oTagl  atelj  preceding  Christmas  in  each  year.     No  child  under  sixteen 
uniessTLrtifi-  years  of  age  shall  be  employed  or  permitted  or  suffered  to  work 

cate  is  pre- 

tSwIromTh?    m  any  ^actolT  or  manufacturing  or  business  establishment  unless 

school  commit-  ^-^  faild  shall  present  to  the  person  or  corporation  employing 

Certificate,         him  or  her  a  certificate,  given  by  or  under  the  direction  of  the 

tain.  school  committee  of  the  city  or  town  in  which  said  child  resides, 

certifying  that  said  child  has  completed  fourteen  years  of  age, 

and  stating  the  name,  date  and  place  of  birth  of  such  child, 

which  facts  shall  be  substantiated  by  a  duly  attested  copy  of 

birth  certificate,  baptismal  certificate,  or  passport,  stating  also 

the  name  and  place  of  residence  of  the  person  having  control  of 

bBkeptaby8«n-    sucn  child.     All  certificates  required  by  this  chapter  relating  to 

shaFbeash9wn    the  qualification  of  children  employed  in  any  factory  or  manu- 

to  factory  in-  .  .         .  i     •    i 

spectors  on  de-  facturing  or  business  establishment  coming  under  the  provisions 
of  this  chapter  shall  be  kept  by  the  employer  at  the  place  where 
such  child  is  employed,  and  shall  be  shown  to  the  factory  in- 
spectors provided  for  in  this  chapter,  or  either  or  any  of  them, 
Penalty  for  re-  on  demand  by  said  inspector  or  inspectors;  and  the  proprietor 
anSy  sucifcerd-  or  manager  of  any  such  factory  or  manufacturing  or  business 
establishment  who  shall  refuse  to  show  to  any  factory  inspector 
any  such  certificate  when  demand  is  made  therefor  shall  be 
deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor  and,  on  conviction,  be  punished 
by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  ten  dollars  nor  more  than  fifty  dollars. 
When  any  child  employed  under  the  provisions  of  this  section 


FACTORY    INSPECTION.  49 

leaves  his  employment,  the  person  or  corporation  by  whom  such  Certificate  to 

child  has  been  employed  shall,  on  demand  by  said  child,  deliver  JerS2t?on  of 

to  him  (or  her)  the  certificate  on  the  authority  of  which  such 

child  has  been  employed  or,  if  such  certificate  is  not  demanded 

by  said  child,  shall  within  two  weeks  after  said  child  has  left  the 

employment  of  said  person  or  corporation  send  said  certificate 

to  the  school  committee  which  issued  it,  or  such  person  as  the 

school  committee  may  designate.     The  school  committee  of  each  copy  of  certi. 

-    ,  ficates  to  be  on 

town,  or  such  person  as  the  school  committee  may  designate  to  file  with  school 

committee. 

issue  the  certificates  provided  for  in  this  section,  shall  keep  on 
file  a  copy  of  each  certificate  granted,  together  with  the  evidence 
of  the  date  of  birth  on  the  basis  of  which  such  certificate  is 
granted.  The  certificates  provided  for  in  this  section  shall  .be 
uniform  throughout  the  state  and  in  the  following  form  or  such 
substantially  similar  form  as  may  be  approved  by  the  secretary 
of  the  state  board  of  education.  The  person  authorized  to  issue 
such  certificate  may  administer  the  oath  required  by  such  cer- 
tificate. 

AGE    AND    SCHOOLING    CERTIFICATE.  Form  of  certj. 

ficate. 

This  certifies  that  I  am  the   (father,  mother,  guardian,  or 
custodian)  of  (name  of  child)  and  that  (he 

or  she)  was  born  at  (name  of  town  or  city)  in 

the  county  (name  of  county,  if  known)  and 

state    (or  country)   of  on  the    (day  and  year  of 

birth)  and  is  now  (number  of  years  and  months) 

old. 

Signature  of  (father,  mother,  guardian,  or  custodian.) 
(Town  or  city  and  date.) 

There    personally    appeared    before    me    the    above-named 
(name  of  person  signing)  ,  and  made  oath  that  the 

foregoing  certificate  by  (him  or  her)  signed  is  true  to  the  best  of 
(his  or  her)  knowledge  and  belief.  I  hereby  approve  the  fore- 
going certificate  of  (name  of  child)  height  (feet  and 


50 


LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 


Penalty  for 
employing 
chid  under  16 
years  of  age. 
Pub.  Laws, 
1458,  April  23, 
1907. 


Exceptions. 


Factory  in- 
spectors, how 
appointed  and 
term  of. 


inches)  eyes  (color)  complexion  (fair  or 

dark)  hair  (color)  having  no  sufficient  reason  to 

doubt  that  (he  or  she)  is  of  the  age  therein  certified,  and  is 
apparently  in  sound  health  and  physically  able  to  perform  the 
work  which  (he  or  she)  intends  to  do. 

This  certificate  belongs  to  (name  of  child  in  whose  behalf  it  is 
drawn),  and  is  to  be  surrendered  to  (him  or  her) 

whenever  (he  or  she)  leaves  the  service  of  the  corporation  or 
employer  holding  the  same;  but  if  not  claimed  by  said  child 
within  two  weeks  from  such  time  it  shall  be  returned  to  the 
school  committee  or  such  person  as  such  committee  may  desig- 
nate. 

(Signature  of  person  authorized  to  approve  and  sign,  with 
official  character  or  authority.) 

(Town  or  city,  and  date.) 

SEC.  2.  Every  person,  firm,  or  corporation  doing  business 
within  this  state  employing  five  or  more  persons,  or  employing 
any  child  under  sixteen  years  of  age,  shall  be  subject  to  the  pro- 
visions of  this  chapter,  whatever  shall  be  the  business  conducted 
by  said  person,  firm,  or  corporation:  Provided,  however ,  that 
the  provisions  of  this  chapter  shall  not  apply  to  children  em- 
ployed in  household  service  or  in  agricultural  pursuits;  and  pro- 
vided, further,  that  said  provisions  shall  not  apply  to  the  employ- 
ment of  children  in  the  vocation,  occupation,  or  service  of  rope 
or  wire-walking,  or  as  gymnasts,  wrestlers,  contortionists,  eques- 
trian performers,  or  acrobats,  riders  upon  bycicles  or  mechani- 
cal contrivances,  or  in  any  dancing,  theatrical,  or  musical  ex- 
hibition, but  the  employment  of  children  in  any  vocation,  occu- 
pation, or  service  enumerated  in  this  proviso  shall  continue  to  be 
governed  by  the  provisions  of  the  General  Laws,  chapter  one 
hundred  thirty-nine. 

SEC.  3.  The  governor  shall,  in  the  year  nineteen  hundred 
eleven,  and  in  the  month  of  January  of  every  third  year  here- 
after, appoint,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  one  chief 


FACTORY    INSPECTION.  51 

and  two  assistant  factory  inspectors,  one  of  whom  shall  be  a  wo- 
man, whose  term  of  office  shall  be  three  years  and  until  their  suc- 
cessors shall  be  so  appointed  and  qualified.  Any  vacancy  which  Vacancies,  how 

filled. 

may  occur  in  said  offices  when  the  senate  is  not  in  session  shall 
be  filled  by  the  governor  until  the  next  session  thereof,  wrhen  he 
shall,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  appoint  some 
person  to  fill  such  vacancy  for  the  remainder  of  the  term.  Said  Duties  of 
inspector  shall  be  empowered  to  visit  and  inspect  at  all  reason-  ^15,  M^'Q, 
able  hours  and  as  often  as  practicable  the  factories,  workshops, 
and  other  establishments  in  this  state  subject  to  the  provisions  of 
this  chapter,  and  shall  report  to  the  general  assembly  of  this 
state  at  its  January  session  in  each  year,  including  in  said  reports 
the  name  of  the  factories,  the  number  of  such  hands  employed, 
and  the  number  of  hours  of  work  performed  in  each  week.  It 
shall  also  be  the  duty  of  said  inspectors  to  enforce  the  provisions 
of  this  chapter  and  prosecute  all  violations  of  the  same  before 
any  court  of  competent  jurisdiction  in  the  state.  The  name  and 
residence  of  any  child  found  working  without  the  certificate  pro- 
vided for  in  section  one  of  this  chapter  shall  be  reported  by  the 
chief  factory  inspector  to  the  school  committee  in  the  city  or 
town  where  such  child  resides.  Said  inspectors  shall  devote  their 
whole  time  and  attention  to  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices, 
under  the  direction  of  the  chief  inspector.  The  annual  salary  salary  of. 
of  the  chief  inspector  shall  be  two  thousand  dollars,  and  each  of 
the  assistant  inspectors  fifteen  hundred  dollars. 

SEC.  4.     All  necessary  expenses  incurred  by  such  inspectors  Expenses. 

Pub.  Laws, 

the  discharge  of  their  duty  shall  be  paid  from  the  funds  of  the  1215,  Mar.  9, 
state,  upon  the  presentation  of  proper  vouchers  for  the  same 
approved  by  the  governor:     Provided,  that  not  more  than  two 
thousand  dollars  in  the  aggregate  shall  be  expended  by  the  said 
inspectors  in  any  one  year. 

SEC.  5.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  owner,  agent  or  lessee  of  Hoisting- 

J  shafts  and  well- 

any  such  factory,  manufacturing  or  mercantile  establishment,  propSeJi°ybin- 
where  hoisting-shafts  or  wrell-holes  are  used,  to  cause  the  same 


52  LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 

to  be  properly  and  substantially  inclosed  or  secured  if,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  inspectors,  it  is  necessary  to  protect  the  life  or 
limbs  of  those  employed  in  such  establishments.  It  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  owners,  agent  or  lessee  to  provide  or  to  cause  to  be 
provided  such  proper  trap  or  automatic  doors,  so  fastened  in  or 
at  all  elevator-ways  as  to  form  substantial  surfaces  when  closed, 
and  so  constructed  as  to  open  and  close  by  action  of  the  elevator 
in  its  passage  either  ascending  or  descending,  if  so  directed  by 
said  factory  inspectors  or  either  one  of  them. 
Minor  under  SEC.  6.  No  minor  under  sixteen  years  of  age  shall  be  allowed 

sixteen  years 

cLa^machin-  to  clean  machinery  while  in  motion,  unless  the  same  is  necessary 
mXtion^Beh-  and  is  approved  by  said  inspectors  as  not  dangerous.  All 
to  be  guarded,  belting  and  gearing  shall  be  provided  with  proper  safeguard. 

21  Iv.  I.  ool. 

25  R!  L  tis!        SEC.  7.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  owners  or  superintendent 

25  R.  I.  649. 

to  report  in  writing  to  the  factory  inspectors  all  fatal  accidents 

Accidents  to  be  .  -IT 

reported,  with-   within  forty-eight  hours  after  their  occurrence ;  and  all  accidents 

in  what  time. 

which  prevent  the  injured  person  or  persons  from  returning  to 
work  within  two  weeks  after  the  injury  shall,  within  one  week 
after  the  expiration  of  such  two  weeks,  be  reported  in  writing 
by  the  person  in  charge  of  such  establishment  or  place  to  the 
said  inspectors,  stating  as  fully  as  possible  the  cause  of  such 
accidents. 

Water  closets  SEC.  8.  Water-closets,  earth-closets  or  privies  shall  be  pro- 
dressing-rooms  vided  in  all  places  where  women  and  children  are  employed,  in 

to  be  provided 

lndlS?sen  sucn  manner  as  shall,  in  the  judgment  of  said  inspectors,  meet 
the  demands  of  health  and  propriety.  Separate  dressing-rooms 
for  women  and  girls  shall  be  provided  in  all  establishments  where 
such  are  deemed  a  necessity  by  said  factory  inspectors;  and  in 
every  manufacturing,  mechanical  or  mercantile  establishment 
in  which  women  and  girls  are  employed,  there  shall  be  provided, 
conveniently  located,  seats  for  such  women  and  girls,  and  they 
shall  be  permitted  to  use  them  when  their  duties  do  not  require 
their  standing. 


FACTORY    INSPECTION.  53 

SEC.  9.     If  the  factory  inspectors,  or  either  one  of  them,  find   Duties  of  in- 
spectors, 
that  the  heating,  lighting,  ventilation  or  sanitary  arrangement 

of  any  shop  or  factory  is  such  as  to  be  injurious  to  the  health  of 
the  persons  employed  therein,  or  that  the  means  of  egress  in 
case  of  fire  or  other  disaster  is  not  sufficient,  or  in  accordance 
with  all  the  requirements  of  law,  or  that  the  belting,  shafting, 
gearing,  elevators,  drums  and  machinery  in  shops  and  factories 
are  located  to  as  to  be  dangerous  to  employees,  and  not  suffi- 
ciently guarded,  or  that  the  vats,  pans  or  structures  filled  with 
molten  metal  or  hot  liquid  are  not  surrounded  with  proper  safe- 
guard for  preventing  accident  or  injury  to  those  employed  at  or 
near  them,  either  or  both  shall  notify  the  proprietor  of  such 
factory  or  workshop  to  make  the  alterations  or  additions  neces- 
sary within  ninety  days;  and  if  such  alterations  or  additions  are 
not  made  within  ninety  days  from  the  day  of  such  notice,  or 
within  such  time  as  such  alterations  can  be  made  with  proper 
diligence  upon  the  part  of  said  proprietors,  said  proprietors  or 
agents  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  violating  the  provisions  of  this 
chapter,  subject,  however,  to  the  right  of  appeal  as  hereinafter 
provided. 

SEC.  10.     Any  person  who  is  aggrieved  bv  any  order  of  said   Appeal  from 

order  of  fac- 

inspectors  may  appeal  therefrom  to  the  district  court  of  the 
judicial  district  in  which  the  building  which  is  the  subject  of  the 
order  is  situated,  by  filing  his  reasons  of  appeal  within  seven  days 
after  the  date  of  the  order  appealed  from,  and  by  giving  notice 
thereof  to  the  inspector  who  made  the  order  within  forty-eight 
hours  after  filing  said  reasons  of  appeal;  and  said  court  shall 
proceed  to  hear  the  said  appeal  at  its  first  session  after  such 
notice  shall  have  been  given,  and  shall  approve,  modify,  or 
revoke  said  order  as  it  may  deem  right,  subject,  however,  to 
the  right  of  a  jury  trial  after  decision  as  prescribed  for  the  claim- 
ing of  a  jury  trial  in  civil  actions.  And  any  such  decision  of  said 
court  from  which  a  jury  trial  is  not  claimed  shall  be  final  and 
conclusive. 


54 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


Factory  in- 
spectors to 
have  an  office. 


May  adminis- 
ter oaths. 


Penalty  for  the 
violation  of  the 
provisions  of 
this  chapter. 
Pub.  Laws, 
1215,  Mar.  9, 
1905. 


Printed  copies 
of  this  chapter, 
to  be  posted, 
where. 


Inspectors  are 
not  required  to 
give  recog- 
nizance for 
costs. 


Factory  in- 
spectors; ad- 
ditional duties 
and  powers  of. 
Pub.  Laws, 
708,  Sept.  20, 


Fresh  drink- 
ing-water to  be 
supplied  to  em- 
ployees of  cor- 
porations, 
6rms,  etc. 


SEC.  11.  The  state  shall  provide  a  suitable  office  for  the  use 
of  said  factory  inspectors;  and  said  factory  inspectors  shall 
have  the  power  to  administer  oaths  or  affirmations  in  cases  where 
persons  desire  to  verify  documents  connected  with  the  proper 
enforcement  of  this  chapter. 

SEC.  12.  Any  person  or  corporation  who  employs  a  child 
under  sixteen  years  of  age  without  the  certificate  required  by 
section  one  of  this  chapter,  or  who  makes  a  false  statement  in 
regard  to  any  part  required  by  such  certificate  or  who  violates 
any  of  the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  or  who  suffers  or  permits 
any  child  or  woman  to  be  employed  in  violation  of  its  provisions, 
shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor  and,  on  conviction r 
shall  be  punished  by  a  fine  of  not  more  than  five  hundred  dol- 
lars :  Provided,  however,  that  this  section  shall  not  apply  to  that 
portion  of  section  one  of  this  chapter  which  fixes  the  penalty 
for  the  refusal  to  show  to  the  inspector  any  certificate  provided 
for  in  that  section. 

SEC.  13.  A  printed  copy  of  this  chapter  shall  be  posted  by 
the  inspectors  in  each  workroom  of  every  factory,  manufactur- 
ing or  mercantile  establishment  where  persons  are  employed 
who  are  affected  by  the  provisions  of  this  chapter. 

SEC.  14.  The  inspectors  created  by  section  three  of  this 
chapter  shall  not  be  required  to  give  surety  nor  personal  recogni- 
zance for  costs. 

SEC.  15.  The  factory  inspectors  shall,  in  addition  to  their 
duties  otherwise  provided,  enforce  the  provisions  of  section 
twenty-two,  chapter  two  hundred  forty-nine  and  may  prosecute 
all  violations  of  the  same  before  any  court  of  competent  juris- 
diction in  the  state. 

SEC.  16.  All  manufacturing  establishments  in  this  state 
shall  provide  fresh  drinking-water,  of  good  quality,  to  which 
their  employees  shall  have  access  during  working  hours. 

SEC.  17.  Any  corporation,  association,  firm  or  person  owning, 
in  whole  or  in  part,  managing,  controlling,  or  superintending 


FACTORY    INSPECTION.  55 


.any  manufacturing  establishment  in  which  the  provision  of  the  Pub- 

1429,  April  5, 

preceding  section  is  violated  shall,  upon  complaint  of  the  board  l 
of  health  of  the  city  or  town,  or  the  town  council  of  the  town,  in 
which  the  establishment  is  located,  be  liable  to  a  fine  of  one  Penalty. 
hundred  dollars  for  each  offence. 


PART    III. 


MISCELLANEOUS    PROVISIONS    OF  THE   GENERAL 

LAWS,  REVISION   OF   1909,  RELATING  TO 

EDUCATION. 


Gen.  Laws. 
1896,  Ch.  26. 


Rules  of  con- 
struction, when 
to  be  applied. 


Genders. 


Numbers. 
24  R.  I.  274. 


CHAPTER  32. 


Of  the  Construction  of  Statutes. 


SECTION 

1.     Rules  of  construction,  when  to  be 


applied. 
Genders. 
Numbers. 


4.  Joint  authority  of  three  or  more, 

authorizes  a  majority. 

5.  "Person." 

6.  "  Insane  person!" 

7.  "United  States." 

8.  "Town,"    "town    council,"    "town 

clerk,"     "ward     clerk,"     "town 
treasurer,"   "town  sergeant." 

9.  "Land"  or  "lands,"  "real  estate." 


SECTION 

10.  "Oath,"  "sworn,"  "engaged." 

11.  "Month,"  "year." 

12.  Computation  of  time. 

13.  "Justice   of   the   peace,"    "district 

court." 

14.  "Seal." 

15.  Acts    of   incorporation    are    public 

acts  for  purposes  of  pleading. 

16.  Repeal,  effect  of,  in  civil  cases. 

18.  Repeal  not  to  revive  statutes   re- 

pealed. 

19.  Statutes,  when  to  take  effect. 

21.     General  and   special   provisions   in 
conflict,  how  construed. 


SECTION  1.  In  the  construction  of  statutes  the  provisions 
of  this  chapter  shall  be  observed,  unless  the  observance  of 
them  would  lead  to  a  construction  inconsistent  with  the  mani- 
fest intent  of  the  general  assembly,  or  be  repugnant  to  some 
other  part  of  the  same  statute. 

SEC.  2.  Every  word  importing  the  masculine  gender  only, 
may  be  construed  to  extend  to  and  to  include  females  as  well 
as  males. 

SEC.  3.  Every  word  importing  the  singular  number  only, 
may  be  construed  to  extend  to  and  to  include  the  plural  number 


CONSTRUCTION    OF    STATUTES.  57 

also  ;  and  every  word  importing  the  plural  number  only,  may  be 
construed  to  extend  to  and  to  embrace  the  singular  number 
also. 

SEC.  4.     All  words  purporting  to  give  a  joint  authority  to   Joint  authority 
three  or  more  officers  or  persons  shall  be  so  construed  as  to  give 


thority  to  the 

such  authority  to  a  majority  of  them.  majority. 

SEC.  5.     The  word  "  person"  may  be  construed  to  extend  "Person." 
to  and  include  copartnerships  and  bodies  corporate  and  politic. 

SEC.  6.     The  words  "  insane  person"  shall  be  construed  to  "insane  per- 

son. 

include  every  idiot,  person  of  unsound  mind,  lunatic  and  dis-     23  R-  L  513- 
tracted  person. 

SEC.  7.  The  words  "United  States"  shall  be  construed  to 
include  the  several  states  and  the  territories  of  the  United 
States. 

SEC.  8.     The  word  "  town"  may  be  construed  to  include  city; 
the  words  "town  council,"  board  of  aldermen;  the  words  "town   -°Town  clerk." 
clerk,"  city  clerk;  the  words  "ward  clerk,"  clerk  of  election  "Town0' 

treasurer." 


district;  the  words  "town  treasurer,"  city  treasurer;  and  the  ,, 

words  "town  sergeant,"  city  sergeant.  .  fij  g;  £  3|£ 

SEC.  9.     The  word  "land"  or  "lands,"  and  the  words  "real  '        6' 


o 

estate  "  may  be  construed  to  include  lands,  tenements  and  -  Reafestate," 

11  R.  I.  258. 

hereditaments,  and  rights  thereto  and  interests  therein.  15  R.  i.  350. 

SEC.  10.     The  word  "oath"  shall  be  construed  to  include  ;;Oath-"M 

sworn, 

affirmation;  the  word  "sworn,"  affirmed;  and  the  word  "en-  "ensaeed-" 
gaged,"  either  sworn  or  affirmed. 

SEC.  11.     The  words  "month"  and  "year"  shall  be  con-  "Month." 

"  Year  "' 

strued  to  mean  a  calendar  month  and  year. 

SEC.  12.     Whenever  time  is  to  be  reckoned  from  any  day,  Computation 

of  time. 

date,  or  act  done,  or  the  time  of  any  act  done,  such  day,  date,  ^  g-  J-  1^ 
or  the  day  when  such  act  is  done,  shall  not  be  included  in  such  2S  R-  L  18- 
computation. 

SEC.  13.     The  words  "justice  of  the  peace"  may  be  con-  ••  justice  of  the 

peace." 

strued  to  include  warden  of  the  peace,  and  the  words  "dis- 
trict  court"  to  include  warden's  court. 


58 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


Acts  of  incor- 
poration are 
public  acts  for 
purposes  of 


27  R.  I.  37. 
27  R.  I.  129. 

Repeal,  effect 
of,  in  civil 


9  R.  I.  26. 
11  R,  I.  166. 
25  R.  I.  72. 


Repeal  not  to 
revive  statutes 
repealed. 

Statutes,  when 
to  take  effect. 
12  R.  I.  18. 


General  and 
special  pro- 
visions in  con- 
flict, how  to  be 
construed . 


SEC.  14.  Whenever  a  seal  is  required  to  be  affixed  to  any 
paper,  the  word  "seal"  shall  be  construed  to  include  an  im- 
pression of  such  seal  made  with  or  without  the  use  of  wax  or 
wafer  on  the  paper. 

SEC.  15.  Every  act  of  incorporation  shall  be  so  far  deemed 
a  public  act,  that  the  same  may  be  declared  on  and  given  in 
evidence,  without  specially  pleading  the  same. 

SEC.  16.  The  repeal  of  any  statute  shall  in  no  case  affect 
any  act  done,  or  any  right  accrued,  acquired  or  established,  or 
any  suit  or  proceeding  had  or  commenced  in  any  civil  case 

before  the  time  when  such  repeal  shall  take  effect. 

* 

SEC.  18.  The  repeal  of  any  statute  shall  not  be  construed 
to  revive  any  other  statute  which  has  been  repealed. 

SEC.  19.  Every  statute  which  does  not  expressly  prescribe 
the  time  when  it  shall  go  into  operation,  shall  take  effect  on 
the  tenth  day  next  after  the  rising  of  the  general  assembly  at 
the  session  thereof  at  which  the  same  shall  be  passed. 

SEC.  21.  Wherever  a  general  provision  shall  be  in  conflict 
with  a  special  provision  relating  to  the  same  or  to  a  similar 
subject,  the  two  provisions  shall  be  construed,  if  possible,  so 
that  effect  may  be  given  to  both;  and  in  such  cases,  if  effect 
cannot  be  given  to  both,  the  special  provision  shall  prevail  and 
shall  be  construed  as  an  exception  to  the  general  provision. 


Gen.  Laws. 
1896,  Ch.  30. 


CHAPTER  40. 

Of  the  Permanent  School  Fund. 


SECTION 

1.  Custody  and  investment. 

2.  Money  from  auctioneers  to  be  added 

to  the  fund. 

3.  School  money  forfeited  by  towns,  t° 

be  added  to  the  fund. 


SECTION 

4.  Additions,  how  to  be  invested. 

5.  Income  to  be  appropriated  for  sup- 

port of  public  schools. 


PUBLIC    RECORDS.  59 

SECTION  1.  The  general  treasurer,  with  the  advice  of  the 
governor,  shall  have  full  power  to  regulate  the  custody  and 
.safe  keeping  of  the  fund  now  constituting  the  permanent  fund 
for  the  support  of  public  schools,  and  shall  beep  the  same 
securely  invested  in  the  capital  stock  of  some  safe  and  respon- 
sible bank  or  banks  or  in  bonds  of  towns  or  cities  within  this 
state. 

SEC.  2.     The  money  that  shall  be  paid  into  the  state  treasury  Money  paid  to 

.the  state  by 

by  auctioneers,  for  duties  accruing  to  the  use  of  the  state,  is 


appropriated,  and  the  same  shall  annually  be  added  to  said  fund- 
school  fund,  for  the  permanent  increase  thereof. 

SEC.  3.     Whenever  any  money  appropriated  to  any  town  Schooimoney 

from  the  state  treasury,  for  the  support  of  public  schools  there-  the  towns  to  be 

added  to  the 

in,  shall  have  been  forfeited  by  such  town,  the  same  shall  be  fund. 
added  to  said  school  fund,  and  shall  forever  remain  a  part 
thereof. 

SEC.  4.     The  general  treasurer,  with  the  advice  of  the  gov-  Additions,  how 

to  be  invested. 

•ernor,  shall  from  time  to  time  securely  invest  all  sums  of  money 
hereby  directed  to  be  added  to  said  fund,  in  the  capital  stock 
of  some  safe  and  responsible  bank  or  banks  or  in  bonds  of  any 
town  or  city  within  this  state. 

SEC.  5.     The  income  arising  from  said  fund   so   invested  income  to  be 

appropriated 

shall  annually  be  appropriated  for  the  support  of  public  schools  for  support  of 
in  the  several  towns. 


CHAPTER    41.  Gen.  Laws, 

18%,  Ch.  31. 

Of  the  Public  Records. 


SECTION 


1.  Officers  to  deliver  official  records, 
etc.,  to  their  successors  in  office, 
or  to  secretary  of  state,  when. 
Penalty  for  neglect. 


SECTION 

2.  Penalty  for  neglect  by  other  than 
the  lawful  custodian,  to  deliver 
official  records,  etc. 


60 


LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 


Officers  to  de- 
liver official 
records,  etc.,  to 
their  successors 
in  office,  or  to 
secretary  of 
state,  when 


Penalty,  for 
neglect ,  etc. , 
without  cause. 


Penalty  for 
neglect  by 
other  than  law- 
ful custodian , 
t9  deliver  offi- 
cial records, 
etc. 


SECTION  1.  Every  person  who  shall  hold  a  public  office 
shall,  upon  leaving  the  same,  deliver  to  his  successor  in  office,, 
or,  if  there  be  no  successor,  to  the  secretary  of  state,  all  records, 
books,  writings,  letters  and  documents,  kept  or  received  by 
him  in  the  transaction  of  his  official  business,  and  all  moneys 
in  his  hands  which  he  shall  have  received  as  trust  funds  from 
any  person  or  otherwise  in  the  course  of  his  official  business; 
and  every  such  person  who  shall,  without  just  cause,  refuse  or 
neglect  for  the  space  of  ten  days  after  request  made  in  writing 
by  any  citizen  of  the  state,  to  deliver  as  herein  required  such 
records,  books,  writings,  letters  or  documents,  or  to  pay  over 
such  moneys,  to  the  person  authorized  to  receive  the  same,  shall 
be  fined  not  exceeding  five  hundred  dollars  and  be  imprisoned 
not  exceeding  five  years. 

SEC.  2.  Every  person,  other  than  the  lawful  custodian 
thereof,  who  shall  have  in  his  possession,  or  under  his  control  r 
any  such  record,  book,  writing,  letter  or  document  as  is  desig- 
nated in  section  one  of  this  chapter,  and  who  shall,  without 
just  cause,  refuse  or  neglect  for  the  space  of  ten  days  after 
request  made  in  writing  by  any  citizen  of  the  state,  to  deliver 
such  record,  book,  writing,  letter  or  document  to  the  lawful 
custodian  of  the  same,  shall  be  fined  not  exceeding  five  hundred 
dollars  and  be  imprisoned  not  exceeding  five  years. 


Gen.  Laws. 
1896,  Ch.  36. 


CHAPTER  46. 


Of  the  Powers  of,  and  of  Suits  by  and  against,  Towns. 


SECTION  . 

4.  Towns  may  vote  and  grant  money 

for    schools,     schoolhouses    and 
school  libraries. 

5.  Towns   may   establish   free   public 

libraries. 

6.  May    appropriate    money    for    the 

maintenance,    etc.,    of    such    li- 
braries. 


SECTION 

7.     May   appropriate   money   for   free 
public  library  not  its  own. 

21.  Town  indebtedness  limited  to  three 

per  centum  of  taxable  property. 

22.  Town    taxes    limited    to    one    per 

centum  of  ratable  property. 


POWERS    OF,    SUITS    BY    AXD    AGAINST,    TOWNS.  61 

SECTION  4.     Towns  may,  at  any  legal  meeting,  grant  and  Towns  may 

grant  money 

vote  such  sums  of  money  as  they  shall  judge  necessary:  —  schoommlles, 

*********  iS»ri«TOl   ' 

For  the  support  of  schools,  purchase  of  sites  for  and  the 
building  and  repair  of  school-houses;  and  for  the  establishing 
and  maintaining  of  school  libraries; 


SEC.  5.  The  electors  in  any  town  or  city  qualified  to  vote 
upon  any  proposition  to  impose  a  tax,  or  for  the  expenditure  pubh 
of  money  in  such  town  or  city,  may,  by  a  majority  vote  of 
such  electors  voting  at  the  annual  meeting  for  the  election  of 
town  officers,  or  members  of  the  city  council  therein,  appro- 
priate a  sum  not  exceeding  twenty-five  cents  on  each  one 
hundred  dollars  of  the  ratable  property  of  such  city  or  town 
in  the  year  next  preceding  such  appropriation,  for  the  founda- 
tion therein  of  a  free  public  library,  with  or  without  branches, 
for  all  the  inhabitants  thereof,  and  to  provide  suitable  rooms 
for  such  library,  which  shall  be  used  under  such  regulations  as 
may  from  time  to  time  be  prescribed  by  the  town  council  of 
such  town,  or  city  council  of  such  city. 

SEC.  6.     Any  town  or  city  having  established  a  free  public  May  appro- 

priate for 

library  therein,  in  manner  as  aforesaid,  may  annually,  by  the 
majority  vote  of  the  electors  of  said  town,  qualified  as  afore- 
said and  voting  on  the  proposition,  or  by  vote  of  the  city 
council  of  said  city,  appropriate  a  sum  not  exceeding  thirty 
cents  on  each  one  thousand  dollars  of  its  ratable  property,  in  the 
year  next  preceding  such  appropriation,  for  the  maintenance 
and  increase  of  such  library  therein,  and  may  take,  receive,  hold 
and  manage  any  devise,  bequest  or  donation  for  the  establish- 
ment, increase  or  maintenance  of  a  public  library  therein,  to  be 
under  such  regulations  for  its  government,  when  they  are  not 
prescribed  by  its  donor,  as  may  from  time  to  time  be  prescribed 
by  the  town  council  of  such  town,  or  the  city  council  of  such 
city. 


62 


LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 


May  appro- 
priate for  free 
public  library 
not  its  own. 


Limitation  of 
town's  in- 
debtedness. 

19  R.  I.  692. 

20  R.  I.  390. 
20  R.  I.  179. 


Limitation  of 
town  taxes. 
Pub.  Laws, 
953,  Feb.  25, 
1902. 

23  R.  I.  115. 

24  R,  I.  232. 


SEC.  7.  Every  town  not  owning  a  free  public  library  may, 
at  the  annual  town  meeting,  appropriate  a  sum  not  exceeding 
thirty  cents  on  each  one  thousand  dollars  of  its  ratable  property 
in  the  year  next  preceding  such  appropriation,  for  the  main- 
tenance and  increase  of  any  free  library  therein. 

SEC.  21.  No  town  shall,  without  special  statutory  au- 
thority therefor,  incur  any  debt  in  excess  of  three  per  centum 
of  the  taxable  property  of  such  town,  including  the  indebted- 
ness of  such  town  on  the  tenth  day  of  April,  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  seventy-eight,  but  the  giving  of  a  new  note  or  bond  for 
a  pre-existing  debt,  or  for  money  borrowed  and  applied  to  the 
payment  of  such  pre-existing  debt,  is  excepted  from  the  pro- 
visions of  this  section,  and  the  amount  of  any  sinking  fund  shall 
be  deducted  in  computing  such  indebtdeness. 

SEC.  22.  No  town  shall  assess  its  ratable  property  in  any 
one  year  in  excess  of  one  and  one-half  per  centum  of  its  ratable 
value,  except  for  the  purpose  of  paying  the  indebtedness  of  such 
town  or  the  interest  thereon,  or  for  appropriations  to  any  of  the 
sinking  funds,  or  for  extraordinary  repairs  for  damages  caused 
by  the  elements;  but  assessments  for  specific  benefits  conferred 
by  the  opening  or  improving  of  any  public  highway,  or  for  any 
public  sewer,  shall  not  be  taken  to  be  within  the  provisions  of 
this  section. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  43. 


CHAPTER  53. 

Of  the  Establishment  and  Control  of  Free  Public  Libraries  by 

Towns. 


SECTION 

1.  Town  or  city  council  may  accept 

gift  of  public  library,   or  funds 
for. 

2.  Town  or  city  council  to  elect  trus- 

tees, and  may  fill  vacancies. 


SECTION- 

3.  Duties  and  powers  of  trustees. 

4.  Appropriation  for  support  of  library 

to  be  made  annually. 

5.  Trustees  to  accept  and  receipt  for 

legacies. 


TOWN   LIBRARIES.  63 

SECTION  1.     In  case  any  library,  or  funds  for  the  establish-  Town  or  city 

council  may 

ment  thereof,  may  be  offered  to  any  city  or  town  on  the  con-  Jubei?c  ifbra?y 
dition  that  said  library  shall  be  maintained  as  a  free  public 
library,  the  city  council  of.  any  city,  or  town  council  of  any 
town,  is  hereby  authorized  to  accept  such  gift  in  behalf  of  the 
city  or  town. 

SEC.  2.     Whenever  any  city  or  town  shall  establish  a  free  Town  or  city 

council  to 

public  library,  or  shall  become  possessed,  as  above  provided,   elect  trustees. 

of  any  such  library,  the  aforesaid  city  council  or  town  council, 

as  the  case  may  be,  shall  proceed  to  elect  a  board  of  trustees, 

to  consist  of  not  less  than  three  members  nor  more  than  seven. 

As  soon  as  possible  after  the  election  of  the  first  board  the  mem-  trustees.  °f 

bers  thereof  shall  meet  and  be  divided  by  lot  into  three  groups  or 

classes,  the  terms  of  office  of  one  group  expiring  in  one  year  from 

the  date  of  their  election,  those  of  another  group  in  two  years, 

and  those  of  the  remaining  group  in  three  years.     With  the  Vacancies, 

how  filled. 

expiration  of  the  term  of  office  of  any  member  the  vacancy  shall 
be  filled  by  the  city  council  or  town  council,  as  the  case  may  be, 
for  the  term  of  three  years.  Vacancies  occurring  by  resignation, 
removal,  death,  or  otherwise,  shall  be  filled  as  above  for  the  un- 
expired  term  thereof. 

SEC.  3.  The  aforesaid  trustees  shall  take  possession  of  said  Trustees  to 

provide  for 

library,  and  shall  thereafter  be  the  legal  guardians  and  custo-  care  of  library, 
dians  of  the  same.  They  shall  provide  suitable  rooms  for  the 
library,  arrange  for  the  p.-oper  care  of  the  same,  choose  one  or 
more  competent  persons  as  Ubrarians  and  fix  their  compensa- 
tion, and  make  all  needful  rules  and  regulations  for  the  govern- 
ment of  the  library  and  the  use  of  the  books:  provided,  that  no 
fee  for  the  use  of  the  books  shall  ever  be  exacted, 

SEC.  4.     Each  city  or  town  acting  under  this  chapter  shall   Appropriation 

for,  by  town. 

annually  appropriate  for  the  support  of  the  public  library  an 
amount  at  least  as  much  as  that  which  the  library  shall  receive 
from  the  state.  All  appropriations  from  the  city  or  town  and 
state,  and  the  income  of  all  funds  belonging  to  the  library,  shall 


64 


LAWS   RELATING   TO    EDUCATION 


Trustees  to  ac- 
cept and  re- 
ceipt for 'lega- 
cies. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  44. 


All  property  is 
liable,  unless 
exempted. 
Pub.  Laws, 
1246,  May  11, 
1905. 

2  R.  I.  459. 

8  R.  I.  15. 

11  R.  I.  321. 

12  R.  I.  435. 
15  R.  I.  159. 

Property  ex- 
empt from  tax- 
ation. 
Pub.  Laws, 
844,  Mar.  28, 
1901. 
6  R.  I.  235. 

8  R.  I.  474. 

9  R.  I.  559. 
12  R.  I.  19. 
14  R.  I.  307. 
19  R.  I.  710. 
21  R.  I.  34. 
24  R.  I.  87. 

School  prop- 
erty. 


be  subject  to  the  exclusive  control  of  the  trustees,  and  the 
several  city  and  town  treasurers  shall  pay,  within  the  limits  of 
the  appropriations  and  other  library  funds  in  their  hands,  all 
bills  properly  certified  by  the  said  trustees. 

SEC.  5.  In  case  of  any  bequest,  legacy,  or  gift  to,  or  in  favor 
of,  a  public  library,  the  trustees  thereof  are  hereby  authorized 
and  empowered  to  accept  the  same  in  behalf  of,  and  for  the  use 
of,  the  library,  and  their  receipt  shall  be  a  full  and  sufficient  dis- 
charge and  release  to  any  executor,  administrator,  or  other 
person  authorized  to  make  the  payment  thereof. 


CHAPTER  56. 


Of  Property  Liable  to,  and  Exempt  from,  Taxation. 


SECTION 

1,     Property  liable  to  taxation. 


SECTION 

2.     Property  exempt  from  taxation. 


SECTION  1.  All  real  property  in  the  state,  and  all  personal 
property  belonging  to  the  inhabitants  thereof,  whether  individ- 
uals, copartnerships,  or  corporations,  and  all  tangible  personal 
property  located  in  the  state  belonging  to  non-residents,  shall 
be  liable  to  taxation  unless  otherwise  specially  provided. 

SEC.  2.  The  following  property  and  no  other,  shall  be  ex- 
empt from  taxation:  Property  belonging  to  the  state;  lands 
ceded  or  belonging  to  the  United  States;  buildings  for  free 
public  schools ;  buildings  for  religious  worship  and  the  land  upon 
which  they  stand  and  immediately  surrounding  the  same,  to  an 
extent  not  exceeding  one  acre,  so  far  as  said  buildings  and  land 
are  occupied  and  used  exclusively  for  religious  or  educational 
purposes;  the  buildings  and  personal  estate  owned  by  any  cor- 
poration used  for  a  school,  academy  or  seminary  of  learning,  and 
of  any  incorporated  public  charitable  institution,  and  the  land 
upon  which  said  buildings  stand  and  immediately  surrounding 
the  same,  to  an  extent  not'exceeding  one  acre,  so  far  as  the  same 


ASSESSING    AND    COLLECTING    POLL    TAXES.  65 

is  used  exclusively  for  educational  purposes,  but  no  property  or 
estate  whatever  shall  hereafter  be  exempt  from  taxation,  in  any 
case  where  any  part  of  the  income  or  profits  thereof  or  of  the 
business  carried  on  thereon  is  divided  among  its  owners  or 
stockholders;  the  estates,  persons,  and  families  of  the  president 
and  professors,  for  the  time  being,  of  Brown  University,  for 
not  more  than  ten  thousand  dollars  for  each  such  officer,  his 
estate,  person,  and  family  included;  property  specially  exempt 
by  charter  unless  such  exemption  shall  have  been  waived  in 
whole  or  in  part;  lots  of  land  used  exclusively  for  burial  grounds; 
the  property,  real  and  personal,  held  for  or  by  any  incorporated 
library,  society,  or  any  free  public  library,  or  any  free  public 
library  society,  so  far  as  said  property  shall  be  held  exclusively 
for  library  purposes,  or  for  the  aid  or  support  of  the  aged  poor, 
or  for  the  aid  or  support  of  poor  friendless  children,  or  for  the 
aid  or  support  of  the  poor  generally;  or  for  a  hospital  for  the 
sick  or  disabled;  and  any  fund  given  or  held  for  the  purpose  of 
public  education;  almshouses  and  the  land  and  buildings  used 
in  connection  therewith;  the  real  and  personal  estate  of  any 
incorporated  volunteer  fire-engine  company  in  active  service; 
the  estate  of  any  person  who  in  the  judgment  of  the  assessors 
is  unable  from  infirmity  or  poverty  to  pay  the  tax;  the  bonds 
and  other  securities  issued  and  exempted  from  taxation  by  the 
government  of  the  United  States. 


CHAPTER   59.  Gen.La™, 

1896,  Ch.  47. 

Of  Assessing  and  Collecting  Poll-Taxes. 

3.     Tax  to  be  applied  to  public  schools. 

SECTION  3.     The  assessors  of  taxes  on  completing  the  assess-  collection  of 
ment  of  taxes  as  prescribed  in  this  chapter,  shall  date  and  P2i  RXi-  582. 
sign,  and  within  three  days  thereafter  deposit  the  same  in  the 
office  of  the  town  clerk,  except  in  the  city  of  Providence,  and  in 


66 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


the  city  of  Providence  deposit  the  same  with  the  city  treasurer 
thereof.  The  town  clerk  shall  forthwith  make  a  copy  of  the 
same  and  deliver  it  to  the  town  treasurer,  and  the  town  treasurer 
shall  forthwith  issue  and  affix  to  said  copy  a  warrant  under 
his  hand,  and  which  need  not  be  under  seal,  directed  to  the 
collector  of  taxes  of  the  town  commanding  him  to  proceed  and 
collect  the  several  sums  of  money  therein  expressed,  of  the  per- 
sons liable  therefor,  by  the  time  directed  by  the  town,  and  to 
pay  over  the  same  to  him  or  to  his  successor  in  office.  Whenever 
any  town  shall  elect  its  town  treasurer  collector  of  taxes  for 
such  town,  such  warrant  shall  be  issued  to  the  town  treasurer 
as  collector  of  taxes  by  the  town  clerk.  The  tax  assessed  ac- 
cording to  the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  shall  be  applied  to  the 
support  of  the  public  schools  in  such  town  or  city. 


•Gen.  Laws, 
1896.  Ch.  85. 


Deaf,  blind, 
imbecile  chil- 
dren as  state 
beneficiaries. 
Pub.  Laws, 
322,  April  29, 
1896. 


CHAPTER  100. 

Of  Provision  for  the  Education  of  Deaf,  Blind  and  Imbecile 
Children. 


SECTION 

1.  State  beneficiaries. 

2.  Supervision,  and  annual  report. 


SECTION 

3.  Clothing,  how  furnished. 

4.  Bills,  how  approved  and  paid. 


SECTION  1.  The  governor,  on  recommendation  of  the  state 
board  of  education,  upon  application  of  the  parent  or  guar- 
dian, may  appoint  any  deaf,  blind  or  imbecile  child,  being  a 
legal  resident  of  this  state,  who  shall  appear  to  said  board  to  be 
a  fit  subject  for  education,  as  a  state  beneficiary  at  any  suitable 
institution  or  school  now  established,  or  that  may  be  estab- 
lished, either  within  or  without  the  state,  for  such  period  as  he 
may  determine,  within  the  limit  of  ten  years:  Provided,  that 
he  may,  upon  the  special  recommendation  of  the  state  board  of 
education,  extend  the  period  and  that  he  shall  have  the  power 
to  revoke  any  appointment  at  any  time  for  cause. 


RHODE    ISLAND    INSTITUTE    FOR    THE    DEAF.  67 


SEC.  2.     The  board  of  education  are  hereby  clothed  with  the 
duty  and  responsibility  of  supervising  the  education  of  all  such  suPervislon- 
beneficiaries,  and  no  child  appointed  as  above  shall  be  with- 
drawn from  any  institution  or  school  except  with  their  consent, 
or  the  consent  of  the  governor;  and  said  board  shall  annually 

,,,.-,.  n  i  •        i  Annual  report. 

report  to  the  general  assembly  their  doings  under  this  chapter, 
with  such  further  information  in  relaton  to  the  several  institu- 
tions at  which  these  beneficiaries  have  been  placed  as  may  be 
deemed  desirable. 

SEC.  3.     The  board  of  education  may  expend  in  the  pur-  clothing. 
chase  of  necessary  clothing  for  such  beneficiaries  a  sum  not 
exceeding  twenty  dollars,  in  any  calendar  year,  for  a  single  child. 

SEC.  4.     All  bills  arising  under  this  chapter  shall  be  ex-  Annual  appro- 

priation for  ed- 

amined  and  approved  by  the  board  of  education,  and  the  Sfhfd?  and  k?-f  ' 
state  auditor  is  hereby  authorized  to  draw  his  orders  on  the 


1048,  Dec.  10, 

general  treasurer  for  the  payment  thereof  when  properly  1902. 
certified  by  the  secretary  of  the  board  and  approved  by  the 
governor  ;  and  a  sum  not  to  exceed  seventeen  thousand  dollars 
or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  needed,  is  hereby  annually  ap- 
propriated therefor  out  of  any  money  in  the  treasury  not  other- 
wise appropriated. 


CHAPTER    101.  Gen.  Laws, 

1896,  Ch.  86. 

Of  the  Rhode  Island  Institute  for  the  Deaf. 


SECTION 


1.  Management  and  control  vested  in 

trustees. 

2.  Trustees,  how  appointed  and  term 

of  office. 

3.  Power  of  board  of  trustees  to  admit. 

4.  Who  may  be  admitted.     Objects  of 

the  institute,  and  how  managed. 


SECTION 

5.  Trustees    to    report    annually    to 

general  assembly. 

6.  AVho  may  attend. 

7.  Compulsory  attendance. 
S.     Certificate. 

9.     This  chapter  jiot  affected  by  chap- 
ter 63,  sections  10,  11  and  12. 


SECTION  1.     The    governor    and    lieutenant-governor,   to- 
gether with  nine  citizens  of  this  state,  of  whom  six  shall  be 


68 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


R.  I.  Institute 
for  the  Deaf  to 
be  managed 
and  controlled 
by  trustees. 


Trustees,  how 
appointed  and 
term  of  office. 
Pub.  Laws, 
809,  Jan.  29, 
1901. 


Power  of  the 
board  of 
trustees  to 
admit. 

Who  may  be 
admitted. 


Object  of  in- 
stitute. 


men  and  three  women,  to  be  appointed  as  hereinafter  pro- 
vided, shall  constitute  a  board  of  trustees  in  whom  shall  be 
vested  the  management  and  control  of  a  state  institution  for 
the  instruction  and  maintenance  of  deaf  children  in  accord- 
ance with  the  provisions  of  this  chapter.  Such  institution  shall 
be  known  as  the  Rhode  Island  Institute  for  the  Deaf. 

SEC.  2.  At  the  January  session  of  the  general  assembly  in 
the  year  A.  D.  nineteen  hundred  nine,  and  in  each  second  year 
thereafter,  the  governor,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
senate,  shall  appoint  three  persons  to  be  members  of  said  board 
to  succeed  the  members  then  in  office  whose  terms  will  next 
expire;  and  the  persons  so  appointed  shall  hold  their  offices  until 
.the  first  day  of  February  in  the  sixth  year  after  their  appoint- 
ment. Any  vacancy  which  may  occur  in  said  board  when  the 
senate  is  not  in  session  shall  be  filled  by  the  governor  until  the 
next  session  thereof,  when  he  shall,  with  the  advice  and  consent 
of  the  senate,  appoint  some  person  to  fill  such  vacancy  for  the 
remainder  of  the  term.  The  members  of  said  board  shall 
receive  no  compensation  for  their  services. 

SEC.  3.  The  board  of  trustees  may  admit  such  persons  there- 
in as  hereinafter  is  provided. 

SEC.  4.  Deaf  persons  between  the  ages  of  three  and  twenty 
years,  and  of  sufficient  capacity  for  instruction,  who  are  legal 
residents  of  the  state,  shall  be  entitled  to  the  privilege  of  the 
school  without  charge,  and  for  such  period  of  time  in  each 
individual  case  as  may  be  deemed  expedient  by  the  board  of 
trustees;  residents  of  other  states  may  be  admitted  upon  the 
payment  of  such  rates  of  board  and  tuition  as  may  be  fixed 
by  the  board  of  trustees.  The  primary  object  of  the  school 
shall  be  to  furnish  to  the  deaf  children  of  this  state,  oral  instruc- 
tion, and  the  best  known  facilities  for  the  enjoyment  of  such 
a  share  of  the  benefits  of  the  system  of  free  public  education 
as  their  afflicted  condition  will  admit  of.  The  board  of  trustees 
shall  have  charge  of  the  affairs  of  the  institution,  with  power  to 


RHODE    ISLAND    INSTITUTE    FOR    THE    DEAF.  69 

make  such  by-laws  and  regulations  for  the  government  thereof 
(not  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  chapter)  as  they 
may  deem  expedient.  They  shall  elect  from  their  own  number  Management. 
a,  president  and  secretary,  together  with  such  standing  com- 
mittees as  they  may  deem  necessary.  They  shall  appoint  a 
principal  who  shall  be  the  chief  executive  officer  of  the  institu- 
tion, and  shall  have  charge  of  the  educational  and  internal  affairs 
of  the  institution,  and  shall  also,  upon  the  nomination  of  the 
principal,  appoint  teachers  and  subordinate  officers,  prescribe 
the  duties  and  terms  of  service  of  the  same,  and  fix  their  salaries, 
.and  for  just  cause  remove  any  or  all  of  them.  They  shall  like- 
wise employ  the  requisite  number  of  servants  and  other  as- 
sistants, and  fix  the  wages  of  the  same,  and  shall  purchase  all 
furniture,  school-books,  school-apparatus  and  other  supplies 
necessary  to  the  equipment  and  carrying-on  such  institution. 

SEC.  5.     The  board  of  trustees  shall  annually  in  the  month  Board  of  trus- 
tees are  to  re- 

of  January  make  a  report  to  the  general  assembly,  of  the  p°rt  annually, 
state  and  condition  of  the  school,  and  a  statement  of  all  ex- 
penses incurred  for  salaries,  maintenance,  tuition  and  other 
items  of  current  expense,  together  with  an  estimate  of  the 
amount  of  money  necessary  to  meet  the  current  expenses  of 
the  next  year. 

SEC.  6.     All  children  of  parents,  or  under  the  control  of  who  may  at- 
guardians  or  other  persons,  legal  residents  of  this  state,  between  stitute  'for  the 
the  ages  of  three  and  twenty  years,  whose  hearing  or  speech,  ^'May^ia 
or  both,  are  so  defective  as  to  make  it  inexpedient  or  imprac-  l 
ticable  to  attend  the  public  schools  to  advantage,  not  being 
mentally  or  otherwise  incapable,  may  attend  the  Rhode  Island 
Institute  for  the  Deaf,  without   charge,  under  such  rules  and 
regulations  as  the  board  of  trustees  of  said  institute  may  es- 
tablish. 

SEC.  7.     Every  person  having  under  his  control  any  such  compulsory 

attendance. 

child  between  the  ages  of  seven  and  eighteen  years  shall  cause  ^P.  A.,  sec. 
such  child  to  attend  school  at  said  institute  for  such  period  of 


70 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


Certificate. 
Pub.  Laws, 
332,  May  13, 
1896. 


This  chapter 
is  not  affected 

63, 

sees.  10,  11, 
and  12. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  87. 


time  or  such  prescribed  course,  in  each  individual  case,  as  may 
be  deemed  expedient  by  the  board  of  trustees,  and  for  any 
neglect  of  such  duty  the  person  so  offending  shall  be  fined  not 
exceeding  twenty  dollars :  Provided,  that  if  the  person  so  charged 
shall  prove  to  the  satisfaction  of  said  board  that  the  child  has 
received  or  is  receiving,  under  private  or  other  instruction,  an 
education  suitable  to  his  condition,  in  the  judgment  of  said 
board,  then  such  penalty  shall  not  be  incurred;  provided  further, 
that  no  child  shall  be  removed  to  said  institution  or  taken  from 
the  custody  of  its  parent  or  guardian  except  as  a  day  scholar, 
unless  such  parent  or  guardian  is  an  improper  person  to  have 
such  custody,  and  the  supreme  court  shall  have  jurisdiction  in 
habeas  corpus  proceedings  to  examine  into  and  revise  all  find- 
ings of  said  board  of  trustees  under  this  chapter. 

SEC.  8.  Any  child  having  attended  said  institute  a  time  or 
course  prescribed  by  said  board,  upon  leaving  the  institute  shall 
be  entitled  to  receive  a  certificate  of  his  proficiency  from  said 
board. 

SEC.  9.  The  provisions  of  this  chapter  are  not  repealed, 
affected  or  modified  by  the  provisions  of  sections  ten,  eleven,  and 
twelve  of  chapter  sixty-three. 


CHAPTER  102. 

Of  the  State  Home  and  School  for  Children. 


SECTTOX 

1-3.     Board  of  control;    number,  term 
of  office,  and  how  appointed. 

4.  Secretary,  duties  and  term  of  office. 

5.  Compensation    to    secretary    only, 

but  travelling  expenses  to  all. 

6.  Government  of  the  school. 

7.  What     children     to     be     received; 

what  may  be  returned,  when,  to 
authorities. 


SECTION 

8.  Object  of  school,  and   duty   of   the 

board. 

9.  Jurisdiction  of  probate  courts. 

10.  Board    to    keep   a    register   of    the 

children  in  the  school. 

11.  To  make  annual  report  to  general 

assembly. 


Board  of  con- 
trol. 


SECTION.  1     The  control  and  maintenance  of  the  state  home 
and  school  for  dependent  and  neglected  children  shall  con- 


STATE    HOME    AND    SCHOOL    FOR    CHILDREN.  71 

tinue  to  be  vested  in  a  board  of  control,  to  be  called  the  "board 
of  control  of  the  state  home  and  school."  Said  school  shall  be 
known  as  the  State  Home  and  School  for  Children. 

SEC.  2.     The  said  board  shall  consist  of  seven  persons  four  Number  of 

board. 

of  whom  shall  be  men  and  three  women.     The  terms  of  office 

Term  of  office. 

of  the  members  of  said  board  shall  begin  on  the  first  day  of  Pub.  Laws, 

o09,  J3,n.  2i7f 

February. 

SEC.  3.  The  governor,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  con- 
sent  of  the  senate,  shall  appoint  the  members  of  said  board 
other  than  the  secretary.  He  shall  annually  at  the  January  ] 
session  of  the  general  assembly  so  appoint  persons  to  be  mem- 
bers of  said  board  to  succeed  those  whose  terms  will  next  ex- 
pire; and  the  persons  so  appointed  shall  hold  their  offices  until 
the  first  day  of  February  in  the  third  year  after  their  appoint- 
ment. Any  vacancy  which  may  occur  in  said  board  when  the 
senate  is  not  in  session  shall  be  filled  by  the  governor  until  the 
next  session  thereof,  when  he  shall,  with  the  advice  and  consent 
of  the  senate,  appoint  some  person  to  fill  such  vacancy  for  the 
remainder  of  the  term. 

SEC.  4.     Said  board  mav  appoint  a  secretarv,  who  shall  by  Secretary,  du- 

*  *  '  J      ties  and  term 

virtue  of  his  office  be  a  member  of  the  board;  he  shall  give  of( 
bond  to  the  state  in  such  sum  as  the  board  may  require,  for 
the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties;  he  shall  keep  a  record 
of  all  the  doings  of  said  board,  and  shall  perform  such  other 
duties  as  may  be  by  them  required.  Such  secretary  shall  hold 
his  office  during  the  pleasure  of  the  board. 

SEC.  5.     No  member  of  the  board,  except  the  secretary,  shall  Compensation 

to  the  secretary 

receive  any  compensation  for  his  services,  but  ever}'  member  £§  expenses 
shall  be  paid  out  of  the  state  treasury  his  necessary  travelling 
expenses. 

SEC.  6.     The  said  board  shall  establish  a  system  of  govern-  Government  of 

the  school. 

ment  for  the  institution,  and  shall  make  all  necessary  rules 
and  regulations  for  imparting  instruction,  and  for  the  proper 
training  of  the  children.  They  shall  appoint  such  officers, 


72 


LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 


What  children 
are  to  be  re- 
ceived. 


Children  re- 
ceived, to  be 
returned, 
when,  to 
authorities. 


Object  of  the 
school  and 
duty  of  the 
board  to  carry 
out  the  pur- 
poses of  this 
chapter. 


teachers  and  employees  as  shall  be  necessary,  and  prescribe 
their  duties  and  fix  their  salaries. 

SEC.  7.  They  shall  receive,  in  accordance  with  rules  by 
them  established,  such  children  as  may  be  declared  vagrant, 
neglected  and  dependent  on  the  public  for  support,  as  pro- 
vided in  this  chapter,  who  are  over  four  and  under  fourteen 
years  of  age,  and  who  are  in  a  suitable  condition  of  mind  and 
body  to  be  instructed;  for  exceptional  reasons,  children  under 
four  years  may  be  received,  should  the  board  deem  it  advis- 
able. Any  child  who  shall  be  found  by  the  board  to  be  of 
unsound  mind,  or  who  may  be  considered  by  the  board  an 
improper  inmate  of  said  institution,  shall  be  forthwith  re- 
turned by  them  to  the  authorities  from  whom  said  child  was 
received,  who  are  hereby  required  to  receive  the  same;  and  all 
children  admitted  shall  remain  until  they  are  eighteen  years  of 
age,  unless  otherwise  ordered  by  the  board. 

SEC.  8.     It  is  declared  to  be  the  object  of  this  chapter  to- 
provide  for  neglected  and  dependent  children,  not  recognized 
as  vicious  or  criminal,  such  influences  as  will  lead  toward  an 
honest,  intelligent  and  self-supporting  manhood  and  woman- 
hood, the  state,  so  far  as  possible,  holding  to  them  the  paren- 
tal relation.     But  if  at  any  time,  in  the  discretion  of  the  board, 
this  object  can  be  better  attained  by  placing  a  child  in  a  good 
family,  they  shall  have  the  power  to  do  so  on  condition  that 
its  education  shall  be  provided  for  by  such  family  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  town  or  city  where  they  may  reside.     The  board 
are  hereby  made  the  legal  guardians  of  all  the  children  who- 
may  become  inmates  of  the  home  and  school,  and  charged  with 
the  duty  of  following  such  children  as  may  be  placed  in  families, 
with  watchful  care,  and  of  taking  them  back  to  their  own  im- 
mediate supervision  if  at  any  time  they  fail  to  receive  kind  and 
proper  treatment  and  a  fair  elementary  education;  and  in  case 
any  child  shall  leave  without  permission,  or  be  taken  by  any 
person  unauthorized  from  said  institution  or  from  any  family 


STATE    HOME    AND    SCHOOL    FOR    CHILDREN.  73 

where  it  shall  have  been  placed  by  said  board,  then  said  board 
is  hereby  authorized  to  take  and  restore  said  child  to  said  in^ 
stitution  or  to  the  family. 

SEC.  9.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  superintendents  or 
overseers  of  the  poor  in  the  several  towns  to,  and  any  agent 
of  the  Rhode  Island  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  before  court' of 

probate. 

Children  may,  bring  before  the  courts  of  probate  of  such  towns  21  R.  i.  52. 
for  examination,  children  supported  in  poor-houses  or  other- 
wise dependent  on  the  public  for  support,  or  other  children 
found  to  be  in  a  state  of  vagrancy,  want,  or  suffering,  or  aban- 
doned by  their  parents  or  guardians,  or  not  having  any  home 
or  settled  abpde  or  proper  guardianship;  and  thereupon  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  court  of  probate  before  whom  any  such  child 
is  brought,  to  investigate  the  facts  and  ascertain  if  the  child 
is  so  supported,  or  is  in  a  state  of  vagrancy,  want,  and  suffer- 
ing, or  is  abandoned  by  its  parents  or  guardians,  or  is  with- 
out home  or  settled  abode  or  proper  guardianship,  and  also 

....  ,        ,  ,.    ,   .    , .  Jurisdiction  of 

to  ascertain  its  name,  age  and  place  of  birth,  and  the  names  courts  of  pro- 
bate herein. 

and  residence  of  its  parents  or  guardians,  if  it  have  any,  and 
where  and  for  what  length  of  time,  if  at  all,  it  has  been  supported 
at  the  expense  of  the  town  or  state;  and  said  courts  of  probate 
shall  have  power  to  compel  attendance  of  witnesses.  The  par- 


ents or  any  friend  may  appear  in  behalf  of  any  child,  and  the  (rj^sr  for 


Parents  or 

friends 

appear 

court  of  probate  in  its  discretion  may  request  some  suitable  per-  chlld< 
son  to  appear  in  behalf  of  any  child;  and  if  on  such  examination 
the  court  shall  find  that  such  child  is  so  supported  or  dependent, 
or  is  in  a  state  of  vagrancy,  want,  and  suffering,  or  is  so  aban- 
doned, or  without  home  or  settled  abode  or  proper  guardianship, 
it  shall  make  a  proper  order  containing  a  statement  of  the  facts 
ascertained  as  to  said  child,  and  entrusting  said  child  to  the  care, 
and  custody  of  the  said  board,  together  with  a  direction  to  the 
superintendent  or  overseer  of  the  poor  to  take  said  child  to  the 
state  home  and  school,  and  shall  deliver  to  the  superintendent  or 

overseer  of  the  poor,  or  other  person  procuring  such  exami- 
10 


74 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


Order  of  court, 
and  execution 
thereof. 


Expenses  to 
be  paid  by  the 
town. 


Proviso  as  to 
children  in 
state  alms- 
house. 


Expenses  to  be 
paid  by  the 
state. 


Register  of 
children. 


To  report  an- 
nually to  the 
general  assem- 
By. 

Pub.  Laws, 
720,  Feb.  9, 
1900. 


nation,  a  certified  copy  thereof.  Such  certified  copy  of  such 
order  shall  then  be  delivered  with  the  child  at  the  home  and 
school,  to  the  presiding  officer  thereof.  All  expenses  attend- 
ing the  foregoing  proceedings  shall  be  paid  by  the  town  or  city 
in  which  the  child  belongs:  Provided,  that  children  between 
the  ages  of  four  and  fourteen  supported  in  the  state  almshouse 
may  be  brought  before  the  probate  court  of  the  town  of  Cranston 
by  the  agent  of  the  board  of  state  charities  and  corrections,  and 
said  court  is  hereby  clothed  with  the  same  power  over  such 
children,  and  such  proceedings  may  be  had,  as  if  they  were 
regularly  domiciled  in  said  town;  and  all  expenses  incident  to 
the  hearings  in  said  cases  before  said  probate  court  shall  be 
paid  by  the  state,  and  the  state  auditor  is  hereby  authorized  to 
draw  his  orders  for  the  payment  of  all  such  bills,  when  certified 
by  the  secretary  of  the  board  of  control  of  the  state  home  and 
school,  out  of  any  money  in  the  treasury  not  otherwise  appro- 
priated. 

SEC.  10.  The  board  shall  provide  a  book  in  which  shall  be 
registered  the  names,  ages  and  places  of  birth  of  the  children 
under  their  care;  the  residence  of  the  parents  or  guardians 
as  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained;  the  date  when  each  child  is 
received  and  from  what  town,  and  when  he  leaves  the  school; 
and  whenever  a  child  is  placed  in  a  family,  the  name,  residence 
and  occupation  of  such  family;  and  such  book  shall  be  open  at 
all  times  for  the  inspection  of  the  probate  clerks  and  the  over- 
seers of  the  poor  of  the  several  cities  and  towns  of  the  state. 

SEC.  11.  The  said  board  of  control  shall  annually  report 
to  the  general  assembly  at  its  January  session,  upon  the  con- 
dition of  the  school,  the  number  of  inmates  thereof,  the  ex- 
penditures for  the  year,  and  their  estimates  for  the  year  ensuing,, 
together  with  such  other  matters  as  may  seem  desirable. 


RHODE    ISLAND    SCHOOL    FOR    THE    FEEBLE-MINDED. 


75 


CHAPTER  103. 

Of  the  Establishment,  Maintenance,  Management,  and  Control  of 
the  Rhode  Island  School  for  the  Feeble- Minded. 


Pub.  Laws,  Ch. 
1470,  April  23. 
1907 


SECTION 

1.  School  established. 

2.  Under  the  control  of  state  board 

of  education. 

3.  School    department    to    be    main- 

tained. 


SECTIOX 

4.  What  children  are  to  be  transferred 

to  and  received  into. 

5.  Who  may  be  received  in  said  school- 

6.  Person  may  be  committed  to,  when. 

7.  Board  to  make  annual  report. 


SECTION  1.  A  school  to  be  known  as  the  Rhode  Island  School 
for  the  Feeble-Minded  shall  be  established  and  shall  be  under 
the  management  and  control  of  the  state  board  of  education. 

SEC.  2.     Said  board  is  empowered  to  lease  necessary  land  Th°e1^a'n1adgr 
and  buildings  for  said  school,  the  expense  thereof  to  be  paid  out  ™F0fatheC°n~ 
of  any  moneys  appropriated  for  the  maintenance  of  said  school,  education1. 
and  to  purchase  land  and  erect  buildings  for  the  use  of  said 
school,  the  expense  thereof  to  be  paid  out  of  any  moneys  ap- 
propriated for  that  purpose.     Said  board  shall  have  power  to  Powers  and  du- 
make  such  by-laws  and  regulations  for  the  government  thereof,   board. 
not  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  as  they 
may  deem  expedient.     They  shall  appoint  such  officers,  teach- 
ers, and  employees  as  shall  be  necessary,  and  prescribe  their 
duties  and  fix  their  salaries  and  compensation,  and  shall  pur- 
chase such  furniture,  books,  school  apparatus,  and  other  sup- 
plies necessary  to  the  equipment  and  carrying  on  of  said  school. 

SEC.  3.     In  said  school  shall  be  maintained  a  school  depart-  school  de- 

partment to  be 
ment  for  the  instruction  and  education  of  feeble-minded  per-  maintained. 

sons  who  are  within  school  age,  or  who  are  in  the  judgment  of 
said  board  capable  of  being  benefited  by  school  instruction;  and 
a  custodial  department  for  the  care  and  custody  of  feeble- 
minded persons  beyond  school  age,  or  who  are  not  capable  of 
being  benefited  by  school  instruction. 

SEC.  4.     All  feeble-minded  persons  in  the  care  and  custody   Wh*t  per 

are  to  be 

of  the  state,  or  of  any  town  in  this  state,  capable  of  being  bene- 


sons 

trans- 


76 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


Who  may  be 
received  in 
said  school. 


Person  may  be 
committed  to 
said  school, 
when. 


fited  by  school  instruction  shall  be  transferred  to  and  received 
into  said  school  whenever  said  board  considers  the  conditions  in 
said  school  suitable  and  the  accommodations  in  said  school 
ample  for  the  proper  care  and  instruction  of  such  persons. 

SEC.  5.  Said  board  may  gratuitously  receive,  maintain,  and 
educate  in  said  school  such  feeble-minded  persons,  residents  of 
this  state,  as  they,  upon  investigation,  believe  are  without  means 
of  support,  and  whose  lawful  guardians  are  unable  to  pay  for 
such  maintenance  and  education  or  are  not  liable  for  the  same. 
Other  pupils  may  be  received  from  this  state  or  elsewhere,  at 
such  a  charge  as  said  board  may  in  their  discretion  fix.  Over- 
seers of  the  poor  in  all  the  towns  of  this  state  shall  receive  and 
forward  to  said  board  any  applications  that  may  be  brought 
to  their  attention  for  the  admission  to  said  school  of  any  feeble- 
minded persons  residing  in  their  respective  towns.  All  applica- 
tions for  admission  of  any  feeble-minded  person  to  said  school, 
under  the  provisions  of  this  section,  shall  be  made  in  writing,  to 
said  board,  by  the  parent  or  parents,  guardian,  or  the  person 
having  the  care  and  custody  of  such  feeble-minded  person,  and 
each  such  application  shall  be  accompanied  by  the  certificate  of 
two  practicing  physicians  in  good  standing,  that  such  person, 
whose  admission  is  sought  into  said  school,  is  feeble-minded  and 
a  proper  subject  for  admission  to  said  school.  Said  board  shall 
have  full  control  and  authority  over  the  inmates  of  the  school, 
and  may,  whenever  they  consider  it  necessary  or  expedient 
discharge  any  pupil  of  said  school,  delivering  said  discharged  pu- 
pil to  the  person  or  place  liable  for  his  support,  and  in  default 
of  such  liability,  to  the  state  almshouse. 

SEC.  6.  Whenever  complaint  in  writing  and  under  oath 
shall  be  made  to  any  justice  or  clerk  of  the  district  court  that 
any  person  within  the  district  wherein  such  court  is  established 
is  feeble-minded,  so  as  to  require  restraint  for  his  own  welfare 
or  for  the  welfare  of  the  public,  such  justice  or  clerk  shall  issue 
his  warrant  under  his  hand  and  seal,  returnable  forthwith,  di- 


RHODE    ISLAND    SCHOOL    FOR    THE    FEEBLE-MINDED.  77 

reeled  to  the  sheriff,  deputy-sheriffs,  chiefs  of  police,  town  ser- 
geants, or  constables  in  the  county  wherein  such  district  is 
situated,  requiring  the  officer  charged  therewith  to  apprehend 
such  person  and  have  him  with  such  warrant  before  such  district 
court  for  examination  relative  to  such  complaint  at  such  time 
and  place  within  the  district  as  shall  be  named  in  the  warrant. 
Such  court  may  continue  or  .adjourn  any  such  hearing  or  exam- 
ination pending  before  it  from  time  to  time  and  to  the  same  or  to 
a  different  place  in  the  same  district,  and  may  pending  the 
hearing  or  examination  order  the  person  so  apprehended  to  be 
detained  in  the  Rhode  Island  School  for  the  Feeble-Minded,  or 
may,  if  it  deem  proper,  require  him  to  enter  into  recognizance  in 
such  sum  as  the  court  shall  direct,  with  sufficient  surety  or 
sureties  satisfactory  to  said  court,  with  condition  that  the  person 
so  apprehended  shall  appear  before  such  court  at  the  time  and 
place  of  such  examination  or  hearing,  and  for  want  of  such 
recognizance  such  person  shall  be  committed  to  the  Rhode  Island 
School  for  the  Feeble-Minded.  If  the  court  on  such  examina- 
tion and  upon  the  testimony  of  two  practicing  physicians  in 
good  standing  shall  adjudge  such  complaint  to  be  true,  it  shall, 
unless  some  provision  for  the  adequate  restraint  of  such  person 
satisfactory  to  said  court  shall  be  made,  commit  such  person  by 
warrant  under  its  hand  and  seal  to  the  Rhode  Island  School  for 
the  Feeble-Minded,  there  to  be  detained  until  in  the  judgment 
of  the  state  board  of  education  such  person  shall  be  no  longer 
under  the  necessity  of  restraint,  or  until  adequate  provision 
satisfactory  to  such  district  court  for  the  restraint  of  such  per- 
son shall  be  made  before  it.  Application  for  the  discharge  from 
the  Rhode  Island  School  for  the  Feeble-Minded  of  any  person  so 
committed  may  be  made  by  him,  or  by  some  person  in  his  be- 
half, to  the  district  court  by  which  such  person  was  committed, 
and  a  time  and  place  for  the  hearing  of  such  application  shall  be 
appointed  by  such  court  to  whom  such  application  shall  have 
been  made,  and  such  court  shall  have  the  power  to  order  the 


78 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


Board  to  make 
an  annual  re- 
port to  the 
general  assem- 
bly. 


discharge  of  such  person.  Any  person  aggrieved  by  the  order 
of  any  district  court  committing  such  person  to  such  school  for 
the  feeble-minded  or  refusing  to  discharge  such  person  therefrom 
shall  have  the  same  right  of  appeal  as  is  provided  from  the 
judgment  of  a  district  court  in  criminal  cases. 

SEC.  7.  Said  board  shall  annually  in  the  month  of  January 
prepare  and  present  to  the  general  assembly  a  written  or  printed 
report  of  said  school,  including  therein  statements  of  its  work, 
its  expenditures  and  income,  the  amounts  appropriated  for  its 
support  and  the  amount  expended  under  each  appropriation,  the 
whole  and  average  number  of  its  inmates,  the  number  of  inmates 
received  and  discharged,  the  number  of  beneficiaries  supported 
by  the  state  in  said  school,  the  number  and  salary  of  officers  and 
employees,  and  such  other  information  as  in  their  opinion  will 
be  of  value,  said  report  to  be  for  the  year  ending  on  the  30th  day 
of  September  next  preceding  the  date  of  said  report. 


SSJSTW  CHAPTER  123. 

Of  the  Suppression  of  Intemperance. 

SECTION  2.     Licenses,  by  whom  and  how  granted. 

be°grantesd to         SECTION  2. Nor  shall  any 

of  ahny  pubifcet  license  be  granted  for  the  sale  of  such  liquors  in  any  building  or 
place,  except  taverns  that  were  licensed  on  the  twenty-second 
day  of  May,  nineteen  hundred  eight,  within  two  hundred  feet, 
measured  by  any  public  travelled  way,  of  the  premises  of  any 
public  or  parochial  school. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  Ch.  108. 


CHAPTER  129. 
Of  Protection  to  Life  from  Fire  in  Certain  Buildings. 


SECTION 

1.     Building   three   or  more  stories   in 

height  to  have  means  of  escape 

from  fire. 
8.     Liability   of   owner  for  neglect    to 


SECTION 

provide  fire-escapes,  if  death  en- 
sues. 

9.     Penalty  for  non-compliance  with  the 
requirements  of  this  chapter. 


PROTECTION   TO    LIFE    FROM    FIRE    IX    CERTAIN    BUILDINGS.  79 

SECTION  1.     Every  building  three  or  more  stories  in  height, 


now  or  hereafter  used  wholly  or  in  part  as  a  seminary,  college,  ^vSed  with6 

academy,  school-house,  hospital,  asylum,  hotel,  lodging-house  fire?roCofP3afr- 

for  the  accommodation  of  transient  guests,  factory  or  workshop 

in  which  employees  are  usually  working  in  the  third  or  any 

higher  story  thereof,  and  every  building  used  for  office  pur- 

poses three  or  more  stories  in  height,  shall  be  provided  by  the 

owner  or  owners  thereof  either  with  proper  and  sufficient  strong 

and  durable,  metallic  fire-escapes  upon  the  external  walls,  suffi- 

cient in  number,  which  fire-escapes  shall  extend  from  the  high- 

est occupied  story  to  the  top  of  the  first  story  of  said  building, 

or  with  proper  and  sufficient  incumbustible  stairs  and  stairways 

at  opposite  ends  of  the  building,  extending  from  the  highest 

occupied  story  to  the  ground  ;  said  stairs  and  stairways  shall  be 

connected  by  open  passageways  of  suitable  width;  said  fire-es- 

capes, stairs  and  stairways  to  be  suitable  and  sufficient  to  af- 

ford to  persons  within  said  building  proper  egress  from  said 

building  in  case  of  fire  therein,  and  to  be  kept  in  repair  by  said 

owner  or  owners. 

SEC.  8.     In  all  cases  in  which  any  person  shall  suffer  injury  Liability  of 

owners  for  ne- 


or  in  which  the  death  of  any  person  shall  ensue  in  consequence 
of  the  failure  of  the  owner  or  owners  of  any  building  to  provide 


the  same  with  fire-escapes  or  stairs  or  stairways,  as  required  by  1120.  A"  se 
the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  or  in  consequence  of  the  failure 
of  said  owner  or  owners  to  comply  with  the  written  notice  and 
requirement  of  any  inspector  of  buildings,  when  made  in  con- 
formity to  the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  such  owner  or  owners 
shall  be  jointly  and  severally  liable,  to  any  person  so  injured, 
in  an  action  of  trespass  on  the  case  for  damages  for  such  injury; 
and  in  case  of  death  such  owner  or  owners  shall  be  jointly  and 
severally  liable  in  damages  for  the  injury  caused  by  the  death 
of  such  person,  to  be  recovered,  by  action  of  trespass  on  the 
case,  in  the  same  manner  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  same  persons 
as  is  provided  in  sections  fourteen  and  fifteen  of  chapter  two 


80 


Penalty  for 
non-compli- 
ance. 


LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 

hundred  eighty-three;  which  action,  when  the  owners  are  non- 
residents, may  be  commenced  by  attachment.  It  shall  be  no 
defence  to  said  action  that  the  person  injured,  or  whose  death 
ensued  as  aforesaid,  had  knowledge  that  any  such  building  was 
not  provided  with  fire-escapes  or  stairs  and  stairways  as  required 
by  the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  or  that  such  person  continued 
to  work  in  or  to  occupy  said  building  with  said  knowledge. 

SEC.  9.  The  owner  or  owners  of  any  building,  o»  in  case  such 
owners,  or  any  of  them,  be  non  compos  mentis,  or  a  minor,  the 
guardian  of  any  such  owner,  or  in  case  such  owners,  or  any  of 
them,  be  non-resident,  the  agent  of  any  such  owner  having 
charge  of  such  property,  who  shall  neglect  or  fail  to  comply  with 
the  foregoing  provisions  of  this  chapter  shall  be  fined  not  less 
than  one  hundred  dollars  nor  more  than  five  hundred  dollars. 
In  case  there  shall  be  several  owners  of  any  building,  which 
shall  be  continued  in  violation  of  said  provisions  of  this  chapter, 
proceedings  may  be  had  against  any  or  all  of  them  jointly,  or 
against  any  one  of  them,  for  the  recovery  of  such  fine. 


Pub.  Laws.  Ch. 
1536,  April  22, 
1908. 


CHAPTER  131. 

Of  Diminishing  Danger  to  Life  in  Case  of  Fire. 


SECTION 

2.  Doors  or  windows  of  or  to  any  exit 
or  fire  escape  to  be  so  arranged 
as  to  swing  outward. 

6.  Aisles    or   passageways    not    to    be 

obstructed. 

7.  Certain    houses    having    accommo- 

dations for  25  or  more  persons. 


SECTION 

subject  to  provisions  of  section  2 
of  this  chapter. 

9.     Duties  of  city  and  town  officers  un- 
der this  chapter. 

10.     Penalties  for  not   complying  with 
provisions  of  this  chapter. 


Doors  or  win- 

dows  of  or  to 


SECTION  2.     All  theatres,  halls,  churches,  and  school  houses 
sna11  nave  tne  doors  or  windows  of  or  to  any  exit  or  fire  escape, 
JSggoutaward.  and  of  any  opening  thereto,  so  arranged  as  to  swing  outward; 
and  at  no  time  when  any  show,  performance,  exhibition,  dance, 
ball,  fair,  service,  or  session  is  being  given  or  held  therein,  or 


DIMINISHING    DANGER   TO    LIFE    IN    CASE    OF    FIRE.  81 

any  audience  shall  be  present  therein,  shall  said  doors  or  win- 
dows be  locked. 

SEC.  6.     No  obstruction  of  any  kind  shall  be  placed  in  the  4isleewaySPnot 
aisles  or  passageways  leading  to  any  exit  or  fire  escape,  or  any  l°dbe  obstruct- 
openings  thereto,  of  any  theatre,  hall,  church,  or  school  while 
any  show,  performance,  exhibition,  dance,  ball,  fair,  service,  or 
session  is  being  given  or  held  therein,  or  while  any  audience  is 
present  therein. 

SEC.  7.  All  poorhouses,  orphan  asylums,  homes  maintained  having  ahc°com- 
in  whole  or  part  by  any  public,  religious,  charitable  or  benev-  25  or  more  per- 
olent  institution,  hospitals,  hotels,  and  licensed  lodging  houses,  to  provisions 

7    of  section  2  of 

which  severally  have  twenty-five  or  more  inmates,  or  permanent  this  chaPter- 

accommodations  for  twenty-five  or  more  persons,  shall  have 

the  doors  or  windows  of  or  to  any  exit  or  fire  escape  so  arranged 

as  to  swing  outward.     All  buildings  used  as  factories,  laundries, 

or  workshops,  in  whole  or  in  part,  in  which  buildings  severally 

twenty-five  or  more  persons  are  employed,  shall  have  the  doors 

or  windows  of  or  to  any  exit  or  fire  escape  so  arranged  as  to 

swing  outward.     All  factories,  laundries,  workshops,  or  rooms 

in  any  building  where  the  entrance  thereto  is  from  a  corridor  or  J^g  outward 

hallway,  and  in  which  factories,  laundries,  workshops,  or  rooms, 

severally,  twenty-five  or  more  persons  are  employed,  shall  have 

the  doors  of  entrance  thereto  so  arranged  as  to  swing  outward. 

If  any  such  door  or  window  of  such  factory,  laundry,  workshop  Doors  or  win- 

dows  in  fac- 

or  room  shall  be  locked  or  fastened  during  working  hours  the 


lock  or  fastening  shall  be  such,  and  kept  in  such  condition,  hoursgsoThka?g 
that  the  same  can  be  easily  and  quickly  unlocked  or  unfastened  un!ockednfrome 

.  inside. 

by  any  person  from  the  inside. 

SEC.  9.     In  every  city  or  town,  the  inspector  of  buildings,  STd^town  offiy- 

....  /•  i      -i  T  i     cers  under  this 

any  assistant  inspector  of  buildings,  any  member  of  the  board  chapter. 
of  police  commissioners,  the  chief  of  police,  any  member  of  the 
board  of  fire  commissioners  if  any,  the  chief  of  the  fire  depart- 
ment, and  any  person  charged  hereunder  with  the  enforcement 


82 


Penalties  for 
not  complying 
with  provis- 
sions  of  this 
chapter. 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


of  the  provisions  hereof,  shall  be  at  all  reasonable  times  admit- 
ted free  of  charge  into  all  parts  of  every  theatre,  hall,  church, 
school,  or  other  building,  factory,  laundry,  or  shop  included 
within  the  provisions  hereof,  to  ascertain  whether  the  require- 
ments of  this  chapter  are  complied  with. 

SEC.  10.  Any  person,  whose  duty  it  is  to  comply  with  any 
of  the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  who  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to 
comply  with  the  same,  shall  be  fined  not  exceeding  one  hundred 
dollars  for  each  offence,  and  every  day  of  such  neglect  or  failure 
shall  constitute  a  separate  offence.  The  supreme  court  and  the 
superior  court  within  their  respective  jurisdictions  shall  have 
power  to  issue  any  extraordinary  writs,  or  to  proceed  according 
to  the  course  of  equity,  or  both,  to  secure  the  fulfillment  and 
execution  of  the  provisions  hereof.  If  any  such  remedy  or 
proceeding  is  sought  or  brought  in  the  superior  court,  it  shall  be 
in  the  court  for  the  county  in  which  the  building  is  located. 


'Gen.  Laws, 
1896.  Ch.  111. 


CHAPTER  135. 


Dogs  to  be  li- 
censed, etc.,  in 
April; 
27  R.  I.  145. 


fees  therefor. 


SECTION 

10.  Dogs  to  be  licensed  in  April;  fees 
therefor.  May  be  licensed  in 
May;  fee  therefor.  Penalty. 

15,  16.     Appraisers  of  damage  done  by 


Of  Dogs. 

SECTION 


dogs;  mode  of  appraising;  dam- 
ages, how  recovered.  Balance  to 
be  applied  for  support  of  public 
schools. 


SECTION  10.  Every  owner  or  keeper  of  a  dog,  of  what  age 
soever,  shall  annually  in  the  month  of  April  cause  such  dog  to 
be  registered,  numbered,  described  and  licensed  from  the  first 
day  of  the  ensuing  June,  in  the  office  of  the  town  clerk  of  the 
town  wherein  such  owner  or  keeper  resides;  and  shall  cause  it 
to  wear  a  collar  around  its  neck  distinctly  marked  with  its 
owner's  name  and  with  its  registered  number;  and  shall  pay  to 
such  clerk,  for  such  license,  one  dollar  and  fifteen  cents  for  a 
male  dog  and  five  dollars  and  fifteen  cents  for  a  female  dog; 


DOGS.  83 

and  all  licenses  granted  under  the  provisions  of  this  chapter  shall 
be  valid  in  every  town  during  the  then  current  year:    Provided,  ctnLcTin" 
however,  that  any  owner  or  keeper  of  a  dog,  of  what  age  soever  therefor.68 
may,  in  the  month  of  May  in  any  year,  have  such  dog  licensed  as 
aforesaid,  upon  paying  to  such  clerk  two  dollars  and  fifteen 
cents  for  a  male  dog  and  six  dollars  and  fifteen  cents  for  a  female 
dog;  and  provided  further,  that  any  person  who  shall  become  the  when  to  be 
owner  or  keeper  of  a  dog,  of  what  age  soever,  after  the  last  day  3oedlys.withm 
of  May  in  each  year,  and  prior  to  the  first  day  of  April  follow- 
ing, shall  cause  the  same  to  be  registered,  numbered,  collared  and 
licensed,  within  thirty  days  after  he  becomes  such  owner  or 
keeper,  upon  the  payment  of  one  dollar  and  fifteen  cents  for  a 
male  dog  and  five  dollars  and  fifteen  cents  for  a  female  dog. 
Every  person  owning  or  keeping  a  dog  not  registered,  licensed  Penalty. 
and  collared  according  to  the  provisions  of  this  section  shall  be 
fined  ten  dollars,  one-half  thereof  to  the  use  of  the  complainant 
and  one-half  thereof  to  the  use  of  the  town  wherein  such  dog 
shall  have  been  kept,  to  be  applied  by  the  said  town  to  the  sup-  For  support  of 

public  schools. 

port  of  public  schools  therein. 

SEC.   15.     Each  town  or  city  council,  excepting  town  and  Appraisers  of 

.,  ,T  •  damage  done 

city  councils  in  the  county  of  Newport,  shall  annually  in  the  bydogs. 
month  of  April  appoint  one  or  more  suitable  persons  appraisers, 
who  shall  be  sworn  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  duties,  to 
appraise  the  damage  that  may  be  done  to  any  owner  of  any  sheep 
or  lambs,  cattle  or  horses,  hogs  or  fowls,  suffering  loss  by  reason  Jg 
of  the  biting,  maining  or  killing  thereof  by  any  dog  or  dogs,  and 
to  give  a  statement  thereof  in  writing  to  the  owner  suffering 
such  loss;  and  such  owner,  suffering  loss  as  aforesaid,  shall,  with- 
in two  days  after  such  loss  shall  come  to  his  knowledge,  notify 
the  appraiser,  so  appointed  and  sworn,  living  nearest  to  him  in 
the  town  wherein  such  owner  resides,  of  such  loss;  and  said  ap- 
praiser shall,  on  receipt  of  twenty-five  cents  for  each  mile's 
travel  and  the  sum  of  one  dollar  from  such  owner,  appraise  the 
damage  and  give  a  statement  thereof  in  writing,  with  his  lawful 


84 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


Balance  to  be 
applied  to 
school-fund, 
except  when. 


Same  subject; 
in  Newport 
county. 


Mode  of  ap- 
praising dam- 
age;   damages 
how  paid. 


fees  taxed  thereon,  to  such  owner;  and  said  owner  shall,  within 
sixty  days  thereafter,  present  the  same  to  the  town  council  of 
such  town,  who  shall  draw  an  order  on  the  town  treasurer  for 
the  amount  of  such  appraisal  and  fees,  or  for  such  other  amount 
as  they,  in  their  discretion,  after  careful  examination,  shall 
deem  just;  and  said  order,  when  presented  to  the  town  treas- 
urer, shall  be  paid  in  the  same  manner  as  any  other  order  made 
by  the  town  council  upon  the  town  treasurer;  and  should  any 
money,  received  under  the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  remain  in 
the  town  treasury  after  April  first,  the  town  treasurer  shall,  on 
the  first  Monday  in  May  following,  pay  over  the  whole  of  such 
money  so  remaining  to  the  school-fund  of  such  town  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  public  schools  therein:  Provided,  however,  that  any 
town,  at  its  annual  meeting  or  at  a  town  meeting  specially 
called  for  that  purpose,  may  vote  to  retain  such  money  as  a 
separate  fund  for  the  payment  of  damages  done  as  aforesaid. 

SEC.  16.  Each  town  or  city  council  in  the  county  of  New- 
port shall  annually  in  the  month  of  April  appoint  one  or  more 
suitable  persons  appraisers,  who  shall  be  sworn  to  the  faithful 
discharge  of  their  duties,  to  appraise  the  damage  that  may  be 
done  to  any  owner  of  any  sheep  or  lambs,  cattle,  horses,  hogs 
or  fowls,  suffering  loss  by  reason  of  the  biting,  maiming  or  killing 
thereof  by  any  dog,  and  to  give  a  statement  thereof  in  writing 
to  the  owner  suffering  loss;  and  such  owner,  suffering  loss  as 
aforesaid,  shall,  within  two  days  after  such  loss  shall  come  to  his 
knowledge,  notify  the  appraiser,  so  appointed  and  sworn,  living 
nearest  to  him  in  the  town  wherein  such  owner  resides,  of  such 
loss;  and  said  appraiser  shall,  on  receipt  of  twenty  cents  for  each 
mile's  travel  and  the  sum  of  one  dollar  from  such  owner,  appraise 
the  damage  and  give  a  statement  thereof  in  writing,  with  his 
lawful  fees  taxed  thereon,  to  such  owner;  and  said  owner  shall, 
within  sixty  days  thereafter,  present  to  the  town  or  city  council 
of  the  town  or  city  where  such  damage  is  done  the  appraisal 
thereof,  and  thereupon  the  town  or  city  council  of  such  town 


LEGAL    HOLIDAYS.  85 

or  city  shall  draw  an  order  on  the  town  or  city  treasurer  for  the 
.amount  of  such  appraisal  and  fees,  or  for  such  other  amount  as 
they,  in  their  discretion,  after  careful  examination,  shall  deem 
just.  And  such  town  or  city  treasurer  shall  annually,  on  the 
last  Monday  in  March,  pay  all  such  orders  in  full,  if  the  gross 
amount  thus  received  by  such  town  or  city  under  the  provisions 
of  this  chapter,  after  deducting  all  sums  previously  laid  out 
under  such  provisions,  is  sufficient  therefor;  otherwise  the  town 
or  city  treasurer  shall  divide  such  amount,  after  deducting  as 
.aforesaid,  pro  rata  among  said  orders,  and  the  payment  thereof 
shall  be  in  full  discharge  of  such  orders;  and  should  any  money,  Balance  to  be 

applied  to 

received  under  the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  remain  in  the  |^°o1  ~f^P d> 
town  treasury  after  payment  provided  for  herein,  the  town  or 
city  treasurer  shall,  on  the  first  Monday  in  May  following,  pay 
over  the  whole  of  such  money  so  remaining  to  the  school-fund 
of  such  town  or  city  for  the  town  or  city  for  the  support  of  the 
public  schools  therein:  Provided,  however,  that  any  town  in 
said  county  at  its  annual  meeting,  or  at  a  town  meeting  specially 
called  for  that  purpose,  or  any  city  in  said  county  by  its  city 
council,  may  vote  to  retain  such  money  as  a  separate  fund  for  the 
payment  of  damages  done  as  aforesaid. 


CHAPTER  201.  VI&  chTVee. 

2  R.  I.  385. 

Of  Bills  of  Exchange  and  Promissory  Notes,  and  of  Legal  In- 
terest (Legal  Holidays). 

SECTION  5.     Legal  holidays. 

SECTION  5.     The  first  day  of  January  (as  new  year's  day),   Legal  holidays, 
the  twenty-second  day  of  February  (as  Washington's  birthday),  809,'jan.  29, 
the  second  Friday  in  May  (as  Arbor  day),  the  thirtieth  day  of 
May  (as  Memorial  day),  the  fourth  day  of  July  (as  Independence 
day),  the  first  Monday  of  September  (as  Labor  day),  the  Tuesday 
next  after  the  first  Monday  in  November  (as  state  election  day), 


86 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


the  twenty-fifth  day  of  December  (as  Christmas  day),  and  each 
of  said  days  in  every  year,  or  when  either  of  the  said  days  fall 
on  the  first  day  of  the  week  then  the  day  following  it,  the  first 
day  of  every  week  (commonly  called  Sunday),  and  such  other 
days  as  the  governor  or  general  assembly  of  this  state  or  the 
president  or  the  congress  of  the  United  States  shall  appoint  as 
holidays  for  any  purpose,  days  of  thanksgiving,  or  days  of  sol- 
emn fast,  shall  be  holidays. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  ch.  176. 


Miscellaneous 
corporations, 
how  formed. 


Agreement. 

Name. 
18  R  I.  165. 


Purpose. 

Location. 
21  R.  I.  444. 
21  R.  I.  498. 


CHAPTER  212. 
Of  Incorporation. 


SECTION 

11.  Miscellaneous       corporations       are 

formed  by  what  articles  of  agree- 
ment, how  executed,  and,  with 
certificate  of  fee  paid,  where  filed. 
Form  of  certificate  of  incorpora- 
tion. 

12.  Certificate  of  incorporation  confers 

what  powers. 


SECTION 

13.  Such   corporation   may  hold   prop- 

erty to  what  amount. 

14.  Articles     of     agreement     may     be 

amended,  how. 

15.  Certified    copies    of    incorporations 

are  admissible  in  evidence. 


SECTION  11.  All  libraries,  lyceums,  fire-engine  companies, 
and  corporations  formed  for  religious,  charitable,  literary,  scien- 
tific, artistic,  social,  musical,  agricultural  or  sporting  purposes^ 
not  organized  for  business  purposes,  and  all  other  corporations 
of  like  nature  not  hereinbefore  otherwise  provided  for,  shall  be 
created  in  the  following  manner,  viz. :  Five  or  more  persons  of 
lawful  age  shall  associate  by  written  articles  which  shall  express : 

First.     Their  agreement  to  form  said  corporation; 

Second.  The  name  by  which  it  shall  be  known,  which  name 
shall  not  then  be  in  use  by  any  existing  corporation  of  the 
state ; 

Third.     The  purpose  for  which  it  is  constituted; 

Fourth.     The  town  or  city  in  which  it  is  to  be  located. 

Said  agreement  shall  be  signed  and  acknowledged  by  all  the 
members  named  therein.  Said  agreement  shall  be  filed  in  the 


INCORPORATION.  87 

office  of  the  secretary  of  state,  and  said  persons  shall  pay  a  fee   Agreement 

must  be  signed, 

of  five  dollars  into  the  general  treasury  of  the  state.     When  said  SafiSdJf8* 
agreement  has  been  so  filed,  together  with  the  certificate  of  the  sectary  Oef 
general  treasurer  that  the  fee  of  five  dollars  has  been  paid,  and  certificate  of 

the  payment  of 

the  sum  of  one  dollar  has  been  paid  to  said  secretary  of  state  ^e>  ... 

Certificates  of 

for  the  certificate  hereinafter  required,  the  secretary  of  state 


shall  thereupon  issue  to  said  corporation  his  certificate,  under 
the  seal  of  the  state,  substantially  in  the  following  form:  — 

STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND  AND  PROVIDENCE  PLANTATIONS. 

I,  secretary  of  state,  hereby  certify  that  [here  insert  Form  of  cer- 

tificate. 

names  of  all  the  corporators]  have  filed  in  the  office  of   secre-  Pub.  Laws, 

1459,  April  23, 

tary  of  state  their  agreement  to  form  a  corporation  under  the   1907> 
name  of  [here  insert  name  of  corporation]  for  the  purpose  [here 
insert  purpose]  in  accordance  with  law,  and  have  also  filed  the 
certificate  of  the  general  treasurer  that  they  have  paid  into  the 
general  treasury  of  the  state  the  fee  required  by  law. 

Witness  my  hand  and  the  seal  of  the  state  of  Rhode  Island 
this  day  of  in  the  year 

The  meeting  of  said  corporators  to  form  said  corporation  shall 
be  called  and  held  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  section 
six  of  this  chapter. 

SEC.  12.     When  said  certificate  has  been  issued  as  aforesaid  SSS^&t0 
said  corporators  shall  be  authorized  to  carry  out  the  purpose  of  l 
such  agreement  with  all  the  powers  and  subject  to  all  the  duties 
and  liabilities  as  provided  herein  and  in  chapter  two  hundred 
thirteen  and  all  amendments  thereof  and  additions  thereto,  so 
far  as  not  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  and  so 
far  as  the  provisions  of  said  chapter  two  hundred  thirteen  shall 
be  applicable  to  such  corporation. 

SEC.   13.     Said  corporation  shall.be  entitled  to  take,  hold,   May  hold 

property  to 

transmit  and  convey  real  and  personal  estate  to  an  amount  not   |jJJ>UQQ0?f  in 
exceeding  in  all  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.     But  if  such 


,.  ,  ,     charter  only. 

corporation  desires  to  take  and  hold  property  to  an  amount 


88 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


Articles  of 
agreement  may 
be  amended, 
how,  except- 
ing as  provided 
in  section  13. 


Copies,  when 
certified  by 
secretary  of 
state,  to  be 
taken  in 
evidence. 


exceeding  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  either  originally  or  by 
amendment,  such  privilege  shall  be  granted  only  by  the  general 
assembly  on  petition  thereto. 

SEC.  14.  Such  agreement  may  be  amended  in  any  partic- 
ular not  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  ex- 
cepting as  provided  in  the  preceding  section,  by  vote  of  the 
corporation  and  the  filing  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  state 
of  a  copy  of  such  vote  duly  attested  by  the  president  and  sec- 
retary of  said  corporation. 

SEC.  15.  Copies  of  agreements  to  form  corporations,  when 
formed  by  agreement,  or  of  any  amendment  thereof,  and  the 
fact  of  their  being  filed  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  state 
and  the  date  of  such  filing,  and  the  filing  of  the  certificate  of 
the  general  treasurer,  shall,  when  certified  to  by  the  secretary 
of  state,  be  received  in  evidence  before  any  court,  tribunal  or 
authority. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  ch.  278. 

18  R.  I.  416. 

18  R.  I.  483. 


Penalty  for 
wilful  injury 
to  public 
property. 


Penalty  for 
wilfully  dis- 
turbing meet- 
ings. 
18  R.  I.  459. 


CHAPTER  344. 

Of  Offences  Against  Public  Peace  and  Property. 


SECTION 

4.     Penalty  for  wilful  injury  to  public 
property. 


SECTION 

8.     Penalty     for     wilfully     disturbing 
meetings. 


SECTION  4.  Every  person  who  shall  wilfully  cut  or  deface  or 
otherwise  injure  any  public  building  or  fence  or  other  property 
belonging  to  this  state,  shall  be  fined  not  less  than  twice  the 
amount  of  the  damage  done,  unless  that  amount  shall  exceed 
twenty  dollars;  and  if  that  amount  shall  exceed  twenty  dollars, 
he  shall  be  imprisoned  not  exceeding  one  year. 

SEC.  8.  Every  person  who  shall  wilfully  interrupt  or  dis- 
turb any  town  or  ward  meeting,  any  assembly  or  people  met 
for  religious  worship,  any  public  or  private  school,  any  meet- 
ing lawfully  and  peaceably  held  for  purposes  of  moral,  liter- 


OFFENCES  AGAINST  PRIVATE  PROPERTY. 


89 


ary  or  scientific  improvement,  or  any  other  lawful  meeting, 
exhibition  or  entertainment,  either  within  or  without  the 
place  where  such  meeting  or  school  is  held,  shall  be  imprisoned 
not  exceeding  one  year  or  be  fined  not  exceeding  five  hundred 
dollars. 


CHAPTER  345. 

Of  Offences  Against  Private  Property. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  ch.  297. 
14  R.  I. 


SECTION 

8.  Breaking  and  entering  other  than 
a  dwelling-house,  with  intent  to 
commit  certain  crimes,  how 
punished. 


SECTION 

55.  Penalty  for  malicious  mischief  to 

books  of  library. 

56.  Same  for  neglecting  to   return   li- 

brary books. 


SECTION  8.    Every  person  who  shall  break  or  enter  any  bank, 

.    .  than  a  dwelling 

shop,  office  or  warehouse,  not  adjoining  to  or  occupied  with  a  house,  with 


the  intent  to 


dwelling-house,  any  meeting-house,  church,  chapel,  court-house, 
town-house,  college,  academy,  school-house,  library  or  other.  how  pur 
building  erected  for  public  use  or  occupied  for  any  public  pur- 
pose, or  any  ship  or  vessel,  in  the  night-time,  with  intent  to 
commit  murder,  rape,  robbery  or  larceny,  shall  be  imprisoned 
not  exceeding  ten  years. 

SEC.  55.     Every   person   who   wilfully   and   maliciously  or 


,  1463,  April  23, 

any  law,  town,    1907. 


chief  to  books, 

wantonly  and    without   cause  writes    upon,  injures,   defaces,  etc.,  of  free 

public  or  refer- 

tears,  or  destroys  any  book,  pamphlet,  plate,  picture,  engrav- 
ing, statue,  or  other  property  belonging  to 
city,  or  other  free  public  or  reference  library,  or  suffers  such  in- 
jury to  be  inflicted  while  said  property  is  in  his  custody,  shall  be 
fined  not  more  than  twenty  dollars,  the  same  to  be  for  the  use 
of  the  library. 

SEC.  56.  Every  person  who  shall  take  or  borrow  from  any 
public  or  reference  library  any  book,  pamphlet,  periodical,  pa- 
per, or  other  piece  of  property  of  said  library,  and  who,  upon 

neglect  to  return  the  same  within  the  time  required  and  specified 
12 


1907. 


90 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


in  the  by-laws,  rules,  or  regulations  of  the  library  owning  the 
property,  has  been  notified  by  the  librarian  or  other  proper 
custodian  of  the  property  that  the  same  is  overdue,  shall  upon 
further  neglect  to  return  the  same  within  two  months  from  the 
date  of  such  notice,  or  upon  neglect  to  pay  the  charges  on  the 
book,  or  other  article,  be  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor  and  shall  be 
fined  not  more  than  ten  dollars,  the  same  to  be  for  the  use  of 
the  library.  A  written  or  printed  notice  given  personally  or 
sent  by  mail  to  a  last  known  or  registered  place  of  residence 
shall  be  considered  a  sufficient  notice. 


Gen.  Laws, 
1896,  ch.  283. 
1  R.  I.  1. 


Corruptly  ac- 
cepting or  at- 
tempting to 
obtain  by  any 
employee  or 
public  official 
any  gift  for 
dishonest 
practice  for- 
bidden. 
Pub.  Laws, 
1219,  April  11, 
190.5. 


CHAPTER  349. 

Of  Offences  Against  Public  Policy. 


SECTION 

21.  Corruptly  accepting  or  attempting 

to  obtain  by  any  employee  or 
public  official,  any  gift  for  dis- 
honest practice,  forbidden. 

22.  No    person    to    corruptly    give    or 

offer  any  gift  to  any  employee  or 
public  official  as  a  reward  for  dis- 
honest practice. 

23.  No  document  containing  any  false 


SECTION 

statement  intended  to  deceive 
an  employer  to  be  given  to  any 
employee. 

24.  Penalty. 

25.  Remedy  for  person  injured. 

38.  Flags  or  emblems  of  foreign  coun- 
tries not  to  be  displayed  upon 
public  buildings  and  school- 
houses. 


SECTION  21.  No  agent,  employee,  or  servant  in  public  or 
private  employ,  or  public  official  shall  corruptly  accept,  or  ob- 
tain or  agree  to  accept,  or  attempt  to  obtain  from  any  person, 
for  himself  or  for  any  other  person,  any  gift  or  valuable  con- 
sideration as  an  inducement  or  reward  for  doing  or  forbearing 
to  do,  or  for  having  done  or  forborne  to  do,  any  act  in  relation 
to  the  business  of  his  principal,  master,  employer,  or  state,  city, 
or  town  of  which  he  is  an  official,  or  for  showing  or  forbearing 
to  show  favor  or  disfavor  to  any  person  in  relation  to  the  busi- 
ness of  his  principal,  master,  employer,  or  state,  city  or  town 
of  which  he  is  an  official. 

SEC.  22.     No  person  shall  corruptly  give  or  offer  any  gift 


OFFENCES    AGAINST    PUBLIC    POLICY.  91 


or  valuable  consideration  to  any  such  agent,  employee,  servant, 

or  public  official  as  an  inducement  or  reward  for  doing  or  for-  Jo  anyream-  glft 

bearing  to  do,  or  for  having  done  or  forborne  to  do,  any  act  in  HC°offic?aiPa*  a 

reward  for  dis- 

relation  to  the  business  of  his  principal,  master,  or  employer,  or  gjj**  P™C- 
the  state,  city,  or  town  of  which  he  is  an  official,  or  for  showing 
or  forbearing  to  show  favor  or  disfavor  to  any  person  in  relation 
to  the  business  of  his  principal,  master,  employer,  or  state,  city, 
or  town  of  which  he  is  an  official. 

SEC.  23.     No  person  shall  knowingly  give  to  any  such  agent,   NO  document 

containing  any 

employee,  servant,  or  public  official  any  receipt,  account,  or 
other  document  in  respect  of  which  the  principal,  master,  or 
•employer,  or  state,  city,  or  town  of  which  he  is  an  official  is  inter-  fmpioyeean 
•ested  which  contains  any  statement  which  is  false  or  erroneous, 
or  defective  in  any  important  particular,  and  which,  to  his 
knowledge,  is  intended  to  mislead  the  principal,  master,  em- 
ployer, or  state,  city,  or  town  of  which  he  is  an  official. 

SEC.  24.     Any  person  who  violates  any  of  the  provisions  of  penalty. 
sections  twenty-one  to  twenty-six  of  this  chapter  shall  be  deemed 
:guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  shall,  on  conviction  thereof,  be 
imprisoned,  with  or  without  hard  labor,  for  a  term  not  exceeding 
one  year,  or  be  fined  not  exceeding  one  thousand  dollars. 

SEC.  25.     Any  person  injured  by  any  violation  of  the  pro-  Remedy  for 

person  injured 

visions  of  sections  twenty-one  and  twenty-two  of  this  chapter 


may  recover  from  the  person  or  persons  inflicting  such  injury  a:id  ' 
twice  the  amount  of  such  injury. 

SEC.  38.     It  shall  be  unlawful  to  display  the  flag  or  em-  Flags  or  em- 

blems of  for- 
blem  of  any  foreign  country  upon  the  flagstaff  of  any  state? 


•county,  city  or  town  building  or  public  school-house  within  this  jic  bm?d- 

ings  and 

.state:  Provided,  however,  that  when  any  foreigner  shall  become  school-houses. 
the  guest  of  the  United  States,  or  of  this  state,  the  flag  of  the 
country  of  which  such  public  guest  shall  be  a  citizen  or  subject 
may  be  displayed  upon  public  buildings,  except  public  school- 
houses.  Every  person  who  shall  violate  the  provisions  of  this 
section  shall  be  fined  not  less  than  twenty-five  nor  more  than 
one  hundred  dollars. 


PART    IV 


PUBLIC  LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION,  ENACTED  IN   1909. 


CHAPTER  383. 

7*1909  April  AN  ACT  IN  FURTHER  AMENDMENT  OF  SECTION  3  OF  CHAPTER 
66  OF  THE  GENERAL  LAWS  OF  RHODE  ISLAND,  1896,  AS 
AMENDED  IN  SECTION  11  OF  CHAPTER  809  OF  THE  PUBLIC 
LAWS,  PASSED  JANUARY  29,  1901,  TO  PROVIDE  FOR  INCREAS- 
ING THE  MEMBERSHIP  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  MANAGERS  OF 
THE  RHODE  ISLAND  COLLEGE  OF  AGRICULTURE  AND  ME 
CHANIC  ARTS. 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.     Section  3  of  Chapter  66  of  the  General  Laws, 

as  amended  in  section  11,  Chapter  809,  acts  and  resolves  of 

January  session,  1901,  is  hereby  further  amended  to  read  as 

follows: 

Term  of  office          "  gEC    3      The  board  of  managers  of  said  college  corporation 

and  appomt- 

TmantgeTof    shall  consist  of  five  members  appointed  by  the  governor  and 
iegee  of  Agrcui-   two  additional  members  who  shall  be  determined  in  the  manner 

ture  and  Me- 
chanic Arts.       hereinafter  mentioned.     The  members  of  said  board  in  office  at 

the  passage  of  this  act  shall  continue  to  hold  their  offices  until 
the  expiration  of  the  terms  for  which  they  were  respectively 
appointed.  At  the  January  session  of  the  general  assembly  in 
each  year  the  governor,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  sen- 
ate, shall  appoint  one  member  of  said  board  to  succeed  the  mem- 
ber whose  term  will  next  expire;  and  the  member  so  appointed 
shall  hold  his  office  until  the  first  day  of  February  in  the  fifth 


COLLEGE    OF    AGRICULTURE    AND    MECHANIC    ARTS.  93 

year  after  his  appointment.  Any  vacancy  in  the  membership 
of  said  board  thus  appointed  by  the  governor,  when  the  senate 
is  not  in  session,  shall  be  filled  by  the  governor  until  the 
next  session  thereof,  when  he  shall,  with  the  advice  and  con- 
sent of  the  senate,  appoint  some  person  to  fill  such  vacancy 
for  the  remainder  of  the  term.  And  every  future  member  so 
appointed  by  the  governor  shall  be  a  domiciled  inhabitant  of 
the  same  county  as  was  the  retiring  member  of  the  board  whose 
place  he  is  appointed  to  fill.  In  addition  to  the  five  members, 
one  from  each  county,  appointed  as  hereinbefore  mentioned,  the 
said  board  shall  be  constituted  of  two  other  members.  One 
of  these  shall  be,  ex-officio,  the  state  commissioner  of  public 
schools;  the  other  shall  be  appointed  by  and  from  the  state 
board  of  agriculture,  on  the  passage  of  this  act  and  biennially 
thereafter.  The  term  of  office  of  the  state  commissioner  of 
public  schools  as  a  member  of  the  said  board  shall  begin  from 
the  time  of  the  passage  of  this  act  and  continue  during  his  in- 
cumbency as  state  commissioner  of  public  schools,  his  successors 
each  in  turn  coming  into  office  as  such  member  upon  qualifying 
for  office  as  state  commissioner  of  public  schools.  The  term  of 
office  of  the  member  appointed  by  the  state  board  of  agriculture 
shall  be  two  years  from  the  first  day  of  July  of  the  year  of  such 
appointment.  Any  vacancy  that  shall  occur  during  the  term 
of  office  of  the  said  member  appointed  from  the  state  board  of 
agriculture,  whether  by  death,  resignation,  or  otherwise,  shall 
be  filled  for  the  unexpired  term  in  the  same  manner  as  herein 
provided  for  the  original  appointment." 

SEC.  2.  This  act  shall  take  effect  upon  its  passage,  and  all 
provisions  of  the  General  Laws  and  of  the  Public  Laws  incon- 
sistent herewith,  and  all  acts  and  parts  of  acts  inconsistent 
herewith,  are  hereby  repealed. 


94 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


CHAPTER  401. 


29aSi909April 


Provision  for 
the  pension- 


AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OF  CHAPTER  1468  OF  THE  PUBLIC 
LAWS,  ENTITLED  "AN  ACT  PROVIDING  FOR  THE  PENSION- 
ING OF  SCHOOL  TEACHERS  IN  THIS  STATE,"  PASSED  AT  THE 
JANUARY  SESSION,  1907. 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.  Section  1  of  Chapter  1468  of  the  Public  Laws, 
entitled  "  An  act  providing  for  the  pensioning  of  school  teachers 
in  this  state,"  passed  at  the  January  session,  1907,  is  hereby 
amended  so  as  to  read  as  follows: 

"  SECTION  1.  Any  person  of  either  sex  who  for  thirty- 
five  years  has  or  shall  have  been  engaged  in  teaching 
as  his  principal  occupation,  and  has  or  shall  have 
been  regularly  employed  as  a  teacher  in  the  public 
schools '  or  in  such  other  schools  within  this  state  as 
are  supported  wholly  or  in  part  by  state  appropriation,  and 
are  entirely  managed  and  controlled  by  the  state,  twenty-five 
years  of  which  employment,  including  the  fifteen  years  immedi- 
ately preceding  retirement,  has  or  shall  have  been  in  this  state, 
and  who,  at  the  expiration  of  the  school  year  in  June,  has  been 
or  shall  have  been  retired  by  his  employer  or  has,  or  shall  have 
voluntarily  retired  from  active  service,  shall,  on  his  formal  ap- 
plication, receive  from  the  state  for  the  remainder  of  his  life  an 
annual  pension  equal  to  one-half  of  his  average  contractual 
salary  during  the  last  five  years  before  retiring,  but  in  no  case 
shall  such  annual  pension  be  more  than  five  hundred  dollars: 
Provided,  however,  that  no  such  employment  as  teacher  within 
this  state  after  this  act  shall  be  included  within  its  provisions, 
unless  the  teacher  shall  hold  a  certificate  of  qualification  issued 
by  or  under  the  authority  of  the  state  board  of  education." 

SEC.  2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  upon  its  passage. 


RHODE    ISLAND    STATE    COLLEGE.  95 

CHAPTER  417. 

AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OF  SECTION  1  OF  CHAPTER  66  OF  THE   Passed  May  4, 
GENERAL  LAWS,  ENTITLED  "OF  THE  RHODE  ISLAND  COL- 
LEGE OF  AGRICULTURE  AND  MECHANIC  ARTS." 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.     Section  1  of  Chapter  66  of  the  General  Laws  is 
hereby  amended  so  as  to  read  as  follows: 

"SECTION  1.  The  board  of  managers  of  the  Rhode  Island 
College  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts  as  constituted  by  act 
of  the  general  assembly  passed  at  the  January  session,  1909,  and  body  corpor- 
their  successors,  for  the  terms  for  which  they  have  been  or  for 
which  they  hereafter  may  be  appointed  or  elected  as  such  mana- 
gers, shall  continue  to  be  a  body  politic  and  corporate  for  the 
purpose  of  continuing  and  maintaining  said  college  corporation 
as  a  college  where  the  leading  object  shall  be,  without  excluding 
other  scientific  and  classical  studies,  and  including  military 
tactics,  to  teach  such  branches  of  learning  as  are  related  to 
agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts,  in  order  to  promote  the  liberal 
and  practical  education  of  the  industrial  classes  in  the  several 
pursuits  and  professions  of  life,  as  provided  in  the  act  of  the  con- 
gress of  the  United  States  approved  July  2,  1862,  entitled  'An 
act  donating  public  lands  to  the  several  states  and  territories 
which  may  provide  colleges  for  the  benefit  of  agriculture  and 
the  mechanic  arts/  and  for  the  purpose  of  continuing  and 
maintaining  an  agricultural  experiment-station  as  a  department 
of  said  college  under  and  in  accordance  with,  and  to  carry  out 
the  purposes  of,  the  act  of  congress  approved  March  2,  1887, 
entitled  'An  act  to  establish  agricultural  experiment-stations  in 
connection  with  the  colleges  established  in  the  several  states  un- 
der the  provisions  of  an  act  approved  July  2,  1862,  and  of  the 
acts  supplementary  thereto/  by  the  name  of  'Rhode  Island 
State  College/  with  all  the  powers  and  privileges  and  subject  • 


96  LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

to  all  the  duties  and  liabilities  set  forth  in  chapter  one  hundred 
seventy-seven." 

SEC.  2.  All  acts  and  parts  of  acts  inonsistent  herewith  are 
hereby  repealed  and  this  act  shall  take  effect  from  and  after  its 
passage. 


CHAPTER  431. 


Passed  May  7,     AN  ACT  IN  ADDITION  TO  CHAPTER  277  OF  THE  GENERAL  LAWS, 

1909 

"OF  OFFENCES  AGAINST  THE  PERSON." 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.     Chapter  277  of  the  General  Laws,  entitled  "Of 
offences  against  the  person"  is  hereby  amended  by  adding  the 
following  section  thereto;  viz.: 
Every  person          "  SEC.  29.     Every  person,  being  a  student,  or  being  a  person 

being  a  student 

*n  attendance  at  any  public,  private,  parochial,  or  military 


school,    college,    or   other   educational   institution,    who   shall 

that  willfully  .  .     . 

commits  any       knowingly  and  wilfully  commit  any  act  that  injures,  frightens, 

act  that  in- 

g'racfeJany "fei-    degrades,  or  disgraces,  or  tends  to  injure,  frighten,  degrade,  or 
KuTit^lT mL-  disgrace,  any  fellow  student  or  person  attending  such  institution 
shall  be  held  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  upon  conviction  shal 
be  fined  not  less  than  ten  dollars  nor  more  than  one  hundrec 
dollars  or  imprisonment  not  less  than  thirty  days  nor  more  than 
one  year,  or  both." 
Every  teacher         "SEC.  30.     Every  person,  being  a  teacher,  superintendent, 

or  superintend- 
ent of  a  school    commandant,  or  other  person  in  charge  of  any  public,  private, 

who  injures  or 

son^guiiVof"  parochial,  or  military  school,  college,  or  other  educational  in- 
mSinor."  stitution,  who  shall  knowingly  permit  any  act  which  shall  injure, 

frighten,  degrade,  or  disgrace  any  person  attending  the  institu- 
tion in  which  he  is  in  charge  or  with  which  he  may  be  connected, 
as  aforesaid,  shall  be  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  shall  be  fined 
not  less  than  ten  dollars  nor  more  than  one  hundred  dollars." 


HIGH    STANDARD    IN    PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  97 

"SEC.  31.     Every  person,  being  a  student,  or  being  a  person  Penalty  for^ 
in  attendance  at  any  public,  private,  parochial,  or   military  jfe*tany  stu' 
school,  college  or  other  educational  institution,  who  shall  tattoo 
or  knowingly  and   willfully  permanently  disfigure  the   body, 
limbs,  or  features  of  any  fellow  student  or  person  attending  such 
institution,  by  the  use  of  nitrate  of  silver  or  any  like  substance, 
or  by  any  other  means,  shall  be  held  guilty  of  a  crime  of  the 
degree  of  mayhem,  and  any  person  guilty  of  the  same  shall  upon 
conviction  be  imprisoned  not  exceeding  ten  years  nor  less  than 
one  year." 

SEC.  4.     This  act  shall  take  effect  from  and  after  its  passage. 


CHAPTER  446. 

AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OF  CHAPTER  544  OF  THE  PUBLIC   Passed  May  7, 
LAWS,  ENTITLED  "AN  ACT  TO  SECURE  A  MORE  UNIFORM 
HIGH  STANDARD  IN  THE  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS  OF  THE  STATE." 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.     Section  3  of  Chapter  544  of  the  Public  Laws  is 
hereby  amended  so  as  to  read  as  follows : 

"SEC.  3.     Any  town  maintaining  a  high  school  having  a  Any  town 

maintaining  a 

course  of  study  approved  by  the  state  board  of  education  shall 
be  entitled  to  receive  annually  from  the  state  twenty-five  dollars 

shall  be  en- 

for  each  pupil  in  average  attendance  for  the  first  twenty-five 
pupils,  and  fifteen  dollars  for  each  pupil  in  average  attendance 
for  the  second  twenty-five  pupils:  Provided,  such  town  shall  Sndancefor 

the  first  25 

admit  pupils  from  other  towns,  to  the  extent  of  the  capacity  of  PuPils  and  $15 

for  each  pupil 

its  high  school  or  schools,  at  a  rate  of  tuition  not  to  exceed  the 


average  cost  per  capita  of  maintaining  its  high  school  or  schools,  pupils. 
The  school  committee  of  any  town  not  maintaining  a  high  school 
shall  make  provision,  at  the  expense  of  such  town,  for  the  free 

attendance  of  its  children  at  some  high  school  or  academy  ap- 
is 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

proved  by  the  state  board  of  education,  and  the  town  shall  be 
entitled  to  receive  aid  from  the  state  for  each  pupil  in  such 
attendance  upon  the  same  basis  and  to  the  same  extent  as  if 
it  maintained  a  high  school  by  itself." 

SEC.  2.    This  act  shall  take  effect  on  and  after  July  1st,  1909. 


CHAPTER  458. 

f9a09?d  May  7*     AN  ACT  TO  SECURE  GREATER  EFFICIENCY  IN  TEACHING  IN 
THE  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS  OF  THIS  STATE. 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 
Public  schools,        SECTION  1.     The  annual  salary  of  a  teacher  regularly  em- 

provision  for 

|reatSgeffi-       ployed  in  any  public  school  of  this  state,  except  in  cases  of  per- 


ciencym  t-  gong  engage(j  m  practice-teaching  in  the  state  or  city  training 
schools,  on  and  after  the  first  of  September  in  the  year  one  thou 
sand  nine  hundred  and  ten,  shall  not  be  less  than  four  hundrec 
dollars. 

SEC.  2.  Any  town  conforming  to  the  provisions  of  section 
one  of  this  act  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  from  the  state,  an 
nually,  for  each  teacher  employed  for  a  school  year,  a  sum  equa 
to  one-half  of  the  excess  four  hundred  dollars  is  over  the  averag 
salary  paid  to  any  teacher  for  the  school  year  of  such  town 
ending  in  the  year  one  thousand  nine  hundred  and  nine. 


INDEX. 


Accidents  to  be  reported  to  factory  inspectors,  52. 
Account  of  school  commissioner  to  State  auditor,  30. 

of  school  moneys,  penalty  for  neglect  to  deliver  to  successor,  35. 
Acts  of  incorporation,  public  acts,  58. 
Adult  blind,  instruction  of,  11. 
Admission  to  R.  I.  School  for  Deaf,  by  trustees,  68. 
Age  and  schooling  certificate,  48,  49. 

Agency  or  interest  in  text-books  disqualifies  school  officer,  36. 
Agreement  to  submit  dispute  to  commissioner,  when,  29. 

Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts,  R.  I.  College  of  (R.  I.  State  College),  42,  92,  95. 
Aisle  and  passageways  to  be  unobstructed,  81. 
Alcohol,  instruction  as  to  effect  of,  upon  human  system,  22. 
Aldermen,  Board  of,  words  "town  council "  construed  to  include,  57. 
Annual  reports,  of  board  of  control  of  State  Home  and  School,  74. 

of  board  of  education,  11. 

of  R.  I.  School  for  Feeble-Minded,  78. 

of  commissioner  of  public  schools,  13. 

of  directors  of  R.  I.  School  of  Design,  46. 

of  factory  inspectors,  51. 

of  private  schools,  10. 

of  schools  aided  by  State,  10. 

of  school  committee,  23. 

of  treasurer  of  R.  I.  College  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts  (R.  I.  State 
College),  45. 

of  town  treasurer,  20. 

of  trustees  of  R.  I.  Institute  for  the  Deaf,  69. 
Apparatus,  appropriation  for,  16. 

applications  therefor  to  be  recorded,  16. 

how  apportioned,  16. 
Appeals  from  condemnation  proceedings,  41. 

to  school  commissioner,  28. 
Apportionment  of  State  appropriation  for  libraries,  9. 

for  public  schools,  15. 


100  .LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

Appropriation,  State,  for  apparatus  and  reference  books,  16. 
for  clerical  assistance,  12. 
for  education  of  deaf,  blind,  and  imbecile,  67. 
for  evening  schools,  16. 
for  graded  schools,  39. 
for  high  schools,  39,  97. 
for  instruction  of  adult  blind,  11. 
for  lectures  and  teachers'  institutes,  30. 
for  libraries,  9,  10. 
for  public  schools,  15. 
for  supervision,  19. 
for  teachers'  pensions,  28. 

for  travelling  expenses  of  pupils  of  Normal  school,  30. 
to  School  of  Design,  46,  47. 
town,  for  libraries,  61,  63. 

for  schools,  61. 

Arbor  Day,  programme  for,  13. 
to  be  a  legal  holiday,  85. 
Assessing  and  collecting  poll  taxes,  65. 
Attendance  at  school  in  adjoining  town,  22. 
required  of  what  children,  31,  69. 
rules  for,  made  by  school  committee,  22. 

with  reference  to  State  aid  for  high  and  graded  schools,  38,  97. 
Auctioneers,  duties  paid  by,  added  to  school  fund,  59. 

Baptismal  certificate,  48. 
Beneficiaries  at  School  of  Design,  46. 

blind,  deaf,  and  imbecile,  66. 

bills  for,  how  paid,  67. 

Bequests  and  legacies  to  libraries,  how  treated,  64. 
Birth  certificates,  48. 
Blanks  and  registers  to  be  provided,  11. 

for  school  census,  21. 

for  report  of  school  committee,  23. 
Blind  adults,  instruction  of,  11. 

imbecile,  and  deaf  children,  education  of,  66,  67. 
Board  of  Education,  State,  8. 

compensation  of,  11. 

constitution  of,  8. 

duties  of,  8,  9,  10,  11,  19,  25,  27,  29,  38,  46,  67,  75. 


INDEX.  101 

Board  of  Education,  State,  how  divided,  8. 
how  elected,  9. 

may  annul  teachers'  certificates,  26. 
may  appoint  beneficiaries,  47. 
may  visit  schools  aided  by  State,  36. 
meetings  of,  9. 
officers  of,  9. 
secretary  of,  to  receive  applications  for  appointments  to  R.  I.  School  of 

Design,  47. 

terms  of  office  of,  8,  9. 

to  appropriate  money  and  make  rules  for  libraries,  9. 
to  approve  high  schools,  38. 

payments  to  libraries,  10. 

remission  of  fines,  29. 

to  be  members  of  board  of  trustees  of  R.  I.  Normal  School,  29. 
to  determine  eligibility  of  applicants  for  teachers'  pensions,  27. 
to  elect  commissioner  of  public  schools,  8. 
to  establish  and  maintain  travelling  libraries,  10. 
to  have  control  of  R.  I.  School  for  the  Feeble-Minded,  75. 
to  have  general  control  and  supervision  of  public  schools  of  the  state,  8. 
to  hold  examinations  for  teachers,  25. 
to  issue  certificates  of  qualification  for  teachers'  pensions,  27. 

of  superintendents,  19. 

of  teachers,  25. 

to  make  report  to  general  assembly  annually,  11. 
to  prescribe  and  enforce  rules  and  regulations  to  render  effective  laws  in 

regard  to  public  schools,  9. 
to  provide  for  instruction  of  adult  blind,  11. 

registers  for  private  schools,  11. 
to  receive  reports,  10,  46,  78. 
to  supervise  education  of  deaf,  blind,  and  imbecile  children,  67. 

and  make  report,  67. 

and  provide  clothing  for,  67. 
travelling  expenses  of,  how  paid,  11. 

two  members  of,  to  be  directors  of  R.  I.  School  of  Design,  46. 
vacancies  in,  how  filled,  9. 

Bribery  of  schools  officers  prohibited,  and  penalty  for,  36. 
Buildings  to  be  provided  with  fire-escapes,  79. 


102  LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

Census  of  children  of  school  age,  20. 

returns  of,  certified  to  school  commissioner,  21. 

deposited  with  school  committee,  21. 
Certificates,  age  and  schooling,  48,  49. 
baptismal,  48. 
birth,  48. 

of  children  attending  R.  I.  Institute  for  the  Deaf,  70. 
of  children  employed,  48,  49. 

copy  of,  to  be  kept  on  file  by  committee,  49. 
form  of,  49. 

penalty  for  refusing  to  show,  48. 
to  be  kept  by  employer,  48. 
to  be  surrendered  to  child,  when,  49. 
of  children  not  attending  school,  31,  48,  49. 
of  incorporation,  confer  what  powers,  87. 
form  of,  87. 

issued  by  secretary  of  state,  87. 
of  school  teachers,  25. 
of  superintendents,  19. 
of  vaccination*  required  when,  37. 
Change  in  text-books  by  committee,  how  made,  24. 
Children,  employment  of,  prohibited  when,  48. 

See  Education  of  Deaf,  Blind  and  Imbecile  Children 
Rhode  Island  Institute  for  the  Deaf. 
Rhode  Island  School  for  the  Feeble-Minded. 
State  Home  and  School  for  Children. 
Christmas  Day,  to  be  a  legal  holiday,  85. 
City,  word  "town"  construed  to  include,  57. 

clerk,  words  "town  clerk"  construed  to  include,  57. 
Clerical  assistance,  commissioner  may  employ,  12. 
Clerk,  of  school  committee,  22. 

See  Town  Clerk. 

Clothing  for  blind,  deaf,  and  imbecile  children,  67. 
Collection  of  poll  taxes,  65. 

College  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts  (R.  I,  State  College),  42,  92,  95. 
Commissioner  of  public  schools,  12. 
decision  of,  final,  when,  28. 

duties  of,  9,  10,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  19,  21,  23,  25,  28,  29,  30,  39,  93. 
election  of,  8,  12. 
may  employ  clerical  assistance,  12. 


INDEX.  103 

Commissioner  may  visit  schools  receiving  aid  from  State,  36. 
may  withhold  school  money  from  town,  when,  20,  23 . 
powers  of,  to  remit  fines,  29. 

pro  tempore,  may  be  appointed  by  the  governor,  12. 
school  committee  to  prescribe  rules  and  studies  under  direction  of,  22. 
term  of  office  of,  12. 

to  aid  in  establishment  of  school  libraries,  13. 
to  apportion  appropriation  for  public  schools,  15. 
to  approve  consolidation  of  schools,  39. 
to  be  member  of  board  of  managers  of  R.  I.  College  of  Agriculture,  93. 

secretary  of  Board  of  Education,  9. 

trustee  of  Normal  School,  29. 
to  deduct  portion  of  school  money,  when,  25. 
to  draw  appropriation  for  apparatus,  16. 

for  free  libraries,  10. 

for  public  schools,  16. 

for  supervision,  19. 
to  furnish  blanks,  21,  23. 

to  hear  appeals  and  decide  on  matters  of  dispute,  when,  28. 
to  hold  teacher's  institutes,  30. 

to  notify  general  treasurer  of  forfeiture  of  school  money,  16. 
to  prepare  programme  for  Arbor  Day,  13. 

for  daily  salute  to  flag,  13. 

for  Grand  Army  Flag  Day,  13. 

for  R.  I.  Independence  Day,  14. 
to  prescribe  rules  regulating  appeals,  28. 

to  receive  applications  for  aid  for  high  and  consolidated  schools,  39. 
to  receive  reports,  20,  21,  23. 
to  render  account  to  state  auditor,  30. 
to  report  annually  to  Board  of  Education,  13. 
to  secure  uniformity  of  text-books,  13. 
to  submit  statement  to  justice  of  supreme  court,  when,  28. 
to  visit  schools,  12. 
Committee.     See  School  Committee. 
Compensation  of  members  of  board  of  education,  11. 

of  superintendent  of  schools,  18,  19. 
Complainant  in  case  of  truancy,  33. 
Compulsory  attendance,  31,  69. 
Computation  of  time,  57. 
Condemnation  of  land  for  school  purposes,  how  made,  40. 


104  LAWS    EELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

Condition  of  aid  to  free  public  libraries,  9. 
of  employment  of  children,  48. 
of  receiving  teachers'  money,  15. 
Consolidation  of  schools,  38,  39. 

by  school  committee,  when,  39. 
Constitution  of  the  State,  extract  from,  5. 
declaration  of  rights  in,  5. 
educational  provisions  of,  7. 
objects  of  government  under,  6. 
qualifications  for  office  under,  6. 
religious  freedom  secured  by,  6. 
Construction  of  statutes,  56. 

of  word  "engaged,"  57. 

importing  masculine  gender  only,  56. 
singular  number  only,  56. 
plural  number  only,  56. 
"land"  or  "lands,"  57. 
"oath,"  57. 
"person,"  57. 
"seal,"  58. 
"sworn,"  57. 
"town,"  57. 

of  words  giving  joint  authority,  57. 
"insane person,"  57. 
"justice  of  peace,"  57. 
"month"  and  "year,"  57. 
"real  estate,"  57. 
"town  clerk,"  57. 
"town  council,"  57. 
"town  sergeant,"  57. 
"town  treasurer,"  57. 
"United  States,"  57. 
"ward  clerk,"  57. 
Corporations,  literary  and  scientific,  how  formed,  86.. 

powers  of,  87. 

Costs  not  taxed  to  school  officers,  when,  29. 
Court,  district,  has  jurisdiction  under  truant  law,  34. 

Deaf,  blind,  and  imbecile,  period  of  education  of,  may  be  extended,  66 
provision  for  education  of,  66,  67,  75. 


INDEX.  105 


Decision  of  commissioner  final,  when,  29. 

of  justice  of  supreme  court  final,  28. 
Dependent  children.     See  State  Home  and  Softool. 
Diminishing  danger  in  case  of  fire,  78,  80. 
Diplomas,  Normal  School,  condition  for  receiving,  30. 

R.  I.  College,  45. 

Discontinuance  for  truancy  and  for  being  habitual  truant,  34. 
Discontinued  districts,  powers  and  duties  of,  17. 
Dismissal  of  teacher,  when  and  how,  26. 
Dispute  may  be  submitted  to  commissioner,  when,  29. 
Distribution  of  educational  pamphlets,  30. 
Disturbance  of  school  or  any  public  meeting,  95. 
Documents,  penalty  for  neglect  or  refusal  to  deliver  official,  60. 
Dogs,  82. 

to  be  licensed,  82. 
Dog  tax  in  Newport  county,  84. 

to  be  added  to  school  fund,  when,  84,  85. 
Donations  for  support  of  public  schools,  7. 
Doors  and  windows  to  swing  outward,  when,  80,  81. 

not  to  be  locked,  81. 

Education  of  deaf,  blind,  and  imbecile,  11,  66,  67,  75. 

provisions  of  constitution  for,  7. 
Election  Day,  national,  to  be  legal  holiday,  85. 

state,  to  be  legal  holiday,  85. 
Election  of  commissioner  of  public  schools,  8,  12. 

school  committee,  17. 

State  Board  of  Education,  9. 

superintendent  of  schools,  18. 

truant  officer,  32. 

Employer  to  keep  certificate  of  children  employed,  48. 
list  of  children  employed,  33. 

to  show  same  to  factory  inspector  on  demand,  48. 

to  surrender  certificate  to  child,  when,  49. 
Employment  of  children  forbidden,  when,  48. 
Evening  school  appropriation,  16. 
Examination  of  pupils  for  Normal  School,  29. 

of  teachers,  25. 
Exclusion  from  school  must  be  by  general  rule,  35. 

14 


106  LAWS   RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

Exemption  from  liability  to  send  child  to  school,  31. 

from  taxation,  64. 
Experiment  station,  43,  95. 
Expenses  of  State  board  of  education,  11. 
Factory  and  manufacturing  establishments  denned,  50. 

inspection  act,  47 . 

penalty  for  violation  of,  48,  54. 

printed  copy  of,  to  be  posted,  where,  54. 

inspectors,  50. 

duties  of,  51,  53,  54. 
how  appointed,  50. 
Feeble-minded,  provisions  for,  66,  75. 
Fees  allowed  truant  officer,  when,  33. 

for  books  in  free  public  library  not  to  be  exacted,  63. 

not  to  be  offered  to  school  officers,  37. 

not  to  be  received  by  school  officers,  36. 
Fines  for  disturbing  meetings  or  schools,  88. 

for  employment  of  children  in  factories,  31,  54. 

for  injury  to  property  of  libraries,  89. 

for  neglect  of  duty,  35. 

for  violation  of  chapter  73,  37. 

in  school  matters,  commissioner  may  remit,  29. 

under  factory  inspection  act,  54,  55. 

under  truant  law,  how  used,  34. 
Fire  escapes  to  be  provided,  when,  79. 

penalty  for  neglect  to  provide,  86. 
Flag  Day,  24. 
Flags,  foreign,  not  to  be  put  up  on  schoolhouses,  91. 

United  States,  to  be  displayed  on  school  buildings,  24. 
to  be  furnished  by  school  committee,  24. 
daily  salute  to,  13. 

Forfeited  or  unexpended  money,  how  treated,  15. 
Forfeiture  of  teachers'  money,  15,  25. 
Fourth  of  May,  R.  I.  Independence  Day,  13. 

of  July,  to  be  legal  holiday,  85. 
Free  public  libraries,  aid  for,  9. 

how  established,  61,  63. 

how  maintained,  63. 

incorporation  of,  86. 

legacies  or  gifts  to,  64. 


INDEX.  107 

Free  public  libraries,  payments  to,  how  made,  10. 

penalty  for  malicious  mischief  to,  89. 
for  neglect  to  return  books  to,  89. 

powers  of  towns  to  appropriate  money  for,  61,  63. 

to  comply  with  rules  of  board  of  education,  9. 

to  report  to  board  of  education,  9. 

trustees  of,  election  and  duties,  63. 
Free  text-books  to  be  supplied  by  school  committee,  23. 
Fund,  permanent.     See  Permanent  School  Fund. 

for  free  public  libraries  may  be  accepted  by  town  or  city  council,  63. 

Gender,  how  construed,  56. 
General  provisions  concerning  taxes,  64. 
relating  to  public  schools,  35. 

General  Treasurer  to  have  custody  of  school  fund,  59. 
Gift  to  free  public  library,  how  receipted  for,  64. 
Governor,  member  and  president  of  State  board  of  education,  9. 
of  board  of  trustees  of  R.  I.  Institute  for  the  deaf,  67. 

of  R.  I.  Normal  School,  29. 

to  advise  as  to  investment  of  permanent  school  fund,  59. 
to  appoint  board  of  control  for  State  Home  and  School,  71. 

board  of  managers  of  R.  I.  College  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic 

Arts  (R.  I.  State  College),  44. 
commissioner  of  public  schools,  pro  tempore,  12. 
factory  inspectors,  50. 
State  beneficiaries,  blind,  deaf,  etc  ,  66. 
trustees  of  R.  I.  Institute  for  the  Deaf,  68. 
Grand  Army  Flag  Day  established,  24. 
not  a  holiday,  25 
observance  of,  25. 
programme  for,  13. 

Habitual  truant,  how  treated,  33. 

High  Schools,  State  aid  for,  38,  97. 

Holidays,  legal,  what  are,  85. 

Hygiene,  instruction  in,  to  be  provided,  22. 

Idiot,  provisions  for  education  of,  66,  75. 

Imbecile,  deaf,  and  blind  children,  66,  67,  75. 

Improper  children  at  State  Home  and  School  may  be  returned,  72. 

Income  of  school  fund,  how  to  be  used,  59. 


108  LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

Indebtedness  of  town,  limit  of,  62. 
Incorporation,  86. 

certificate  of,  87. 

Incorrigible  pupils  may  be  suspended,  23. 
Injuring  student,  penalty  for,  96 . 
Insane  person,  how  construed,  57. 
Institutes  and  lectures  for  teachers  provided  for,  30 . 

Joint  authority,  how  exercised,  57. 

may  be  exercised  by  whom,  57. 
Joint  school  committee  of  towns,  18. 

how  formed,  18. 

organization  of,  18. 

powers  of,  18. 

to  elect  superintendent,  18. 
Jurisdiction,  justice  courts  to  have;  in  truant  cases,  34. 

over  State  Home  and  School  cases,  with  probate  court,  73. 
Justice  of  peace,  how  construed,  57. 

of  supreme  court,  when  may  be  appealed  to,  28. 

Kindergarten  instruction,  not  included  in  what  elementary  studies,  31 

Labor  Day,  to  be  legal  holiday,  85. 
Land,  or  lands,  how  construed,  57. 

how  condemned  for  school  purposes,  40 . 
Lectures  on  subjects  of  education,  how  provided,  30. 
Legacy  to  free  public  library,  how  discharged,  64  . 
Legal  proceedings  relating  to  public  schools,  28. 
Letters,  retiring  officer  to  deliver  official,  to  whom,  60. 
Libraries,  free  public,  establishment  and  control  of,  by  towns,  62. 

how  aided,  9. 

how  incorporated  under  general  law,  86. 

legacies  and  gifts  to,  64. 

malicious  mischief  to,  89. 

neglect  to  return  books  to,  89. 

powers  of  town  to  appropriate  money  for,  61,  63. 

to  report  to  board  of  education,  9. 

trustees  of,  election  and  duties,  63. 
school,  powers  of  town  to  vote  money  for,  61. 
commissioner  to  aid  in  establishing,  13. 


INDEX.  109 

Libraries,  travelling,  10. 

License  to  sell  liquor  not  to  be  granted  within  200  feet  of  any  school,  78 
Lieutenant-Governor,  ex-officio  member  of  State  board  of  education,  31. 
of  board  of  trustees  of  R.  I.  Institute  for  the  Deaf,  67. 

of  R.  I.  Normal  School,  29. 
Limitations  of  town  indebtedness,  62. 

of  town  taxes,  62. 

Lincoln's  Birthday,  how  honored,  24, 
Liquor,  not  to  be  sold  near  school,  78. 
Literary  associations,  how  organized  as  corporations,  86. 
Location  of  R.  I.  College  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts  (R.  I  State  College),  43. 

of  schoolhouses,  22. 

Malicious  mischief  to  libraries,  89. 

Manufacturing  establishments,  employment  of  minors  in,  48. 

Maps  and  other  school  apparatus,  provision  for,  16. 

Masculine  gender  includes  feminine,  56. 

Meetings,  fine  for  disturbing,  88. 

of  school  committee,  18,  22. 

of  state  board  of  education,  9. 
Memorial  Day,  to  be  legal  holiday,  85. 
Mercantile  establishments,  employment  of  minors  in,  48. 
Mileage  for  Normal  pupils,  provision  for,  30. 
Minors  convicted  under  truant  law,  commitment  of,  33. 

employment  of,  prohibited  when,  48. 

to  attend  school,  31. 
Miscellaneous  corporations,  as  libraries,  how  formed,  86. 

limited  as  to  property,  87. 

may  amend  agreement,  88. 
Misdemeanor  defined,  96. 

penalties  for,  99. 
Money  for  schools,  distributed  how  and  when,  15. 

statements  of,  to  be  made  by  town  treasurer,  20. 

to  be  received  and  paid  out  by  town  treasurer,  20.   ' 

unexpended  or  forfeited,  how  treated,  15,  59. 
Month  and  year,  how  construed,  57. 
Moral  instruction  must  be  given,  26. 

Neglect  of  duties  by  officers,  35. 

to  return  books  to  libraries,  89. 

to  send  children  to  school,  to  be  inquired  into,  33. 


110  LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

No  person  to  be  excluded  from  school  save  by  general  rule,  35. 
Normal  School,  29.     See  Rhode  Island  Normal  School 
.Number,  singular  and  plural,  how  construed,  56. 
Nuisances  prohibited  near  schoolhouse,  36. 

Oath,  how  construed,  57. 

board  of  managers  of  R.  I.  College  of  Agriculture  may  administer,  46. 

factory  inspectors  may  administer,  54. 

person  authorized  to  issue  age  and  schooling  certificate  may  administer,  40. 
-Offences,  against  private  property,  89. 

against  public  peace,  88. 

against  public  policy,  90. 

against  the  person,  96. 
•Officers,  joint  authority  to  three  or  more,  how  construed,  57. 

liability  of,  for  neglect  of  duty,  60. 

offering  of  fees  to,  forbidden,  37,  91. 

of  public  schools,  forbidden  to  receive  fees,  etc.,  36. 

of  schools  receiving  State  aid  to  report  annually,  10. 

to  surrender  official  records,  when  and  to  whom,  60. 
Overseers  of  the  poor,  duties  of,  in  regard  to  R.  I.  School  for  the  Feeble-Minded,  76. 

in  regard  to  State  Home  and  School,  73. 

Parents  to  cause  child  to  attend  school,  31. 

penalty  on,  for  non-compliance  with  truant  law,  31. 
^Penalty  for  bribery  of  school  officer,  36. 
for  defacing  property,  88,  89. 
for  degrading  fellow  student,  96. 
for  disturbing  meetings  or  schools,  88. 
for  employing  child  contrary  to  law,  48. 
for  employing  teachers  without  certificate,  25. 
for  failure  to  comply  with  vaccination  law,  37. 

to  deliver  official  records,  60. 

to  provide  fire-escapes,  80. 

to  send  children  to  school,  31. 
for  making  false  registry.  35. 

false  returns  or  other  neglect  of  duty,  35,  91. 
for  malicious  mischief  to  property  of  libraries,  89. 
for  misappropriating  moneys,  35. 
for  neglect  to  return  books  to  library,  89. 
rf or  non-remittance  of  returns,  20,  21,  23. 


INDEX.  111? 

Penalty  for  refusal  to  give  information,  in  school  census,  21. 

to  permit  schools  to  be  visited  by  school  committee,  36: 
to  show  certificates  and  list  of  children  employed,  33,. 48.. 

for  truancy,  33. 

general,  37. 

Penalties,  etc.,  school  commissioner  may  remit  what,  29. 
Pensions,  teachers',  27,  94. 

appropriation  for,  28. 
who  may  receive,  27,  94. 
Permanent  school  fund,  7,  15,  58,  84. 

additions  to,  15,  59,  84. 

auctioneers'  fees  to  be  added  to,  59. 

custodian  of,  59. 

investments  for,  59. 

not  to  be  diverted  by  General  Assembly,  7. 

town  share  of  school  money,  when  to  be  added  to,.  15,  59.. 

uses  of  income  of,  59. 
Person,  how  to  be  construed,  57. 
Physiology  and  hygiene,  instruction  in,  to  be  given,  22. 
Places  of  employment  to  be  visited  by  factory  inspectors,  51.. 

by  truant  officers,  33. 
Plural  number  includes  singular,  56. 
Poll  taxes,  collection  of,  65. 

for  support  of  public  schools,  66. 

method  of  assessing,  65. 

to  be  credited  to  school  account,  when,  20. 

when  and  on  whom  assessed,  65. 
Powers  of  school  committees,  18,  20,  21,  26,  32,  36,  39. 

of  towns  and  town  officers,  17,  38,  40,  61. 

of,  and  suits  by  and  against,  towns,  60. 
Printing  report,  money  reserved  for,  23. 
Private  schools,  may  be  approved  when,  32. 

to  be  registered  and  report,  10. 

Proceedings  in  case  of  children  in  State  almshouse,  73. 
Proceeds  of  dog  licenses  to  be  used  for  schools,  84. 
Process  under  truant  law,  by  whom  served,  33. 
Programme  for  Arbor  Day,  13. 

for  daily  salute  to  the  flag,  13. 

for  Grand  Army  Flag  Day,  13. 

for  Rhode  Island  Independence  Day,  14- 


112  LAWS   RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

Property  liable  to,  and  exempt  from,  taxation,  64. 

penalty  for  injury  to,  88,  89. 
Providence,  schools  of,  how  to  be  governed,  36. 
Public  libraries.     See  Libraries 
Public  money  apportioned  to  towns,  15. 
Public  records,  59. 
Public  schools.     See  Schools. 
Pupils.     See  Scholars. 

Qualifications  for  free  tuition  in  Normal  School,  29. 
required  of  teachers,  25. 

of  superintendents,  18. 

Real  estate,  corporations  may  hold,  87. 

how  condemned  for  school  purposes,  40. 
Reference  books,  appropriation  for,  16. 
Refusal  to  allow  visitation  forfeits  State  aid,  36. 
Register  of  scholars  to  be  kept  by  teachers,  26. 

to  be  provided  for  private  schools,  11. 
Regular  appropriations  for  support  of  schools,  15. 

Religious  purposes,  buildings  and  land  held  for,  exempt  from  taxation,  64. 
Religious  societies,  what  property  of,  exempt  from  taxation,  64. 
Remission  of  fines  and  forfeitures,  how  done,  29. 
Repeal  of  statutes,  effect  of,  58. 
Report  of  Board  of  Control  of  State  Home  and  School,  74. 

of  board  of  education,  11. 

of  commissioner  of  public  schools,  13. 

of  factory  inspectors,  51. 

of  private  schools,  10. 

of  school  committee  to  commissioner,  23. 
to  town  meeting,  23. 

of  schools  aided  by  State,  10. 

of  town  treasurer,  20. 

of  treasurer  of  R.  I.  College  of  Agriculture  (R.  I.  State  College),  45. 

of  trustees  of  R.  I.  Institute  for  the  Deaf,  69. 
Returns  of  school  census,  where  deposited,  etc.,  21. 

Rhode  Island  College  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts  (R.  I.  State  College),  42, 
92,  95. 

a  body  corporate,  42,  95. 

appropriation  for,  44. 


INDEX.  113 

Rhode  Island  College  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts  (R.  I.  State  College),  acts 

of  congress  relating  thereto,  43,  95. 
board  of  managers  of,  42,  92,  95. 

duty  of,  44. 

employ  faculty,  45. 

expenses  of,  46. 

officers  of,  45. 
change  of  name  of,  95. 
experiment  station  in,  43,  95. 
location  of,  43. 
object  of,  43,  95. 

terms  of  office  of  members  of  board  of  managers  of,  44,  92,  95. 
to  have  moneys  received  from  United  States,  43. 
treasurer  of,  to  give  bond,  45. 

to  make  annual  report  to  general  assmbly,  45. 
vacancies  in  board  of  managers  of,  how  filled,  44,  93. 
Rhode  Island  Institute  for  the  Deaf,  67. 
management  of,  67. 
may  issue  certificates,  70. 
object  of,  68. 
who  may  attend,  69. 
who  may  be  admitted  to,  68. 
who  must  attend,  69. 
Rhode  Island  Normal  School,  29. 

graduates  from,  entitled  to  diploma,  30. 

qualifications  for  free  tuition  in,  29. 

to  be  open  to  children  of  deceased  soldiers  and  sailors,  37. 

travelling  expenses  of  pupils  in,  30. 

trustees  of,  how  constituted,  29. 

may  admit  certain  pupils  for  tuition,  30. 

to  prescribe  examination  of  applicants  for  admission,  29. 
Rhode  Island  School  of  Design,  46. 

board  of  education,  how  appoint  beneficiaries  at,  47. 

how  pay  tuition  fees,  47. 

to  elect  two  directors  of,  46. 
State  beneficiaries  at,  47. 
to  make  annual  report,  46. 
Rhode  Island  School  for  the  Feeble-Minded,  75. 

board  of  education  may  provide  buildings  for,  75. 

15 


114  LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 

Bhode  Island  School  for  the  Feeble-Minded,  board  of  education   to  have  control 

of,  75. 
to  make  report  of,  to  general  assembly,  78. 

establishment  and  maintenance  of,  75. 

method  of  commitment  to,  76. 

overseers  of  poor  to  receive  applications  for  admission  to,  76. 

school  department  to  be  maintained  in,  75. 

who  may  be  received,  76. 
Rhode  Island  State  College,  95. 
Rules  and  regulations,  for  appeals,  24,  28. 

for  libraries,  9,  63. 

for  schools,  to  be  made  by  committee,  22. 

Sailors,  children  of  dead  or  invalided,  schools  free  to,  37. 

Salute  to  the  flag  in  schools,  13. 

Scholars  authorized  to  attend  in  adjoining  town,  when,  22. 

may  be  suspended,  when,  23. 

not  to  attend  school  unless  vaccinated,  37. 

register  of,  to  be  kept  by  teacher,  26. 

school  committee  to  make  rules  for  classification  of,  22. 

text-books  and  supplies  to  be  loaned  to,  23. 

to  be  taught  principles  of  morality  and  virtue,  26. 

transportation  of,  39. 
Schoolbooks.      Text-Books. 
School  census,  returns  of,  made  to  whom,  20. 

taken  when,  20. 

School  Commissioner.     See  Commissioner  of  Public  Schools. 
School  Committee,  appeal  from,  how  taken,  proceedings  thereon,  28. 

choice  of,  17. 

election  of,  18. 

fees  to,  prohibited,  36. 

may  consolidate  schools,  when,  39. 

may  dismiss  teachers,  when,  26. 

may  pay  tuition,  23. 

may  reserve  money  for  printing  report,  23. 

may  suspend  pupils,  when,  23. 

may  unite  with  committees  of  other  towns  for  election  of  superintendent,  18. 

members  of,  ineligible  to  teach  public  school,  26. 

meetings  of,  18,  22. 

number  of,  17. 


INDEX.  115 


School  Committee,  officers  of,  22. 

of  Providence,  36. 

power  of,  to  change  text-books,  24. 

schools  to  be  under  care  of,  17,  22. 

to  approve  private  schools,  when,  32. 

to  cause  flags  to  be  displayed,  24. 

to  draw  orders,  when,  22. 

to  elect  superintendent  of  schools,  18. 

to  furnish  free  books  and  supplies,  23. 

to  issue  age  certificates,  48. 

to  locate  schoolhouses,  22. 

to  make  rules  and  regulations,  22,  24. 

to  manage  schools  wholly,  23. 

to  prescribe  course  of  study,  22. 

to  provide  for  attendance  of  children  in  adjoining  town,  22. 

to  provide  instruction  in  physiology,  etc.,  22. 

to  report  to  commissioner,  23. 
to  town,  23. 

to  select  teachers,  23. 

to  take  school  census,  20. 

to  visit  schools,  23,  36. 

vacancy  in  membership  of,  how  filled  by  town  council,  18. 
School  district,  what  powers  remain  to  discontinued,  17. 
School  fund.     See  Permanent  School  Fund. 
Schoolhouses,  foreign  flags  not  to  be  raised  over,  91. 

how  supplied  with  furniture,  fixtures,  etc.,  17. 

land  for,  how  condemned,  40. 

may  be  built  by  town,  17. 

nuisances  near,  prohibited,  36. 

sale  of  liquor  near,  prohibited,  78. 

to  be  located  by  school  committee,  22. 

to  be  provided  with  fire-escapes,  79. 
School  libraries,  power  of  town  to  vote  money  for,  61. 

State  appropriation  for  works  of  reference,  etc.,  for,  16. 
School  of  Design.     See  Rhode  Island  School  of  Design. 
School  officers  prohibited  from  taking  fees,  36. 

what  ones  are  ineligible  to  teach,  26. 
Schools  aided  by  State,  to  be  visited  by  public  school  officers,  36. 

evening,  16. 


116  LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

Schools,  consolidation  of  ungraded,  38,  39. 
by  school  committee,  when,  39. 

provisions  against  forfeiture  of  State  aid  in  case  of,  39. 
general  supervision  of,  vested  in  board  of  education,  8. 
high,  State  aid  for,  38,  97. 
must  be  maintained,  17. 

private,  to  register  and  report  to  board  of  education,  10. 
scholars  may  attend,  in  another  town,  22. 
to  be  visited  by  committee,  22. 
ungraded,  may  be  consolidated,  38. 
School  supplies  furnished  at  expense  of  town  or  city,  23. 
Seal,  what  is  meant  by,  58. 
Singular  number,  how  construed,  56. 

Soldiers  and  sailors  children  of,  have  free  tuition  when,  37. 
Special  statutes  to  prevail,  37. 
State  Home  and  School  for  Children,  70. 

board  of  control  of,  how  appointed,  71. 
how  constituted,  71. 
secretary  of,  duties  and  term  of  office  of,  71. 

to  have  compensation,  71. 
to  establish  system  of  government,  71. 
to  keep  register  of  children,  74. 
to  report  to  general  assembly,  74. 
to  receive  what  children,  72. 
control  and  maintenance  of,  vested  in  whom,  70. 
object  of,  72. 

what  children  may  be  sent  from  poorhouses  to,  73. 
State  school  money,  how  apportioned,  15. 
Statutes,  construction  of,  56. 
repeal  of,  effect  of,  38. 
special,  to  prevail,  37,  58. 
take  effect  when,  58. 
Studies  in  schools,  how  prescribed,  22. 
Submission  by  agreement  to  school  commissioner,  29. 
Successors  in  office,  retiring  officers  to  deliver  official  possessions  to,  35,  60. 
Superintendent  of  schools,  compensation  of,  18,  19. 
duties  of,  18. 
how  elected,  18. 

to  hold  certificate  of  qualification,  19. 
towns  may  unite  for  employment  of ,  18. 


INDEX.  117 

Supreme  court,  justices  of,  to  hear  and  decide  on  school  appeals,  when,  28. 
Surety  for  costs  not  to  be  given  by  truant  officer,  35. 
Suspension  of  pupils  by  school  committee,  23. 

Tattooing,  how  punished,  97. 

Tax,  for  free  public  libraries,  what  and  when,  62. 

town  to  raise  by,  for  schools,  amount  equal  to  State  appropriation,  15. 
Taxation,  property  liable  to,  and  exempt  from,  64. 
Teachers,  25. 

certificates  to,  by  State  Board  of  Education,  25. 

examination  of,  25. 

may  be  dismissed,  when,  26. 

minimum  salary  of,  98. 

must  have  what  qualifications,  25. 

pensions  for,  94. 

State  appropriation  for  schools  to  be  applied  to  wages  of,  15. 

to  be  hired  by  committee,  23. 

to  have  certificate  of  qualification,  when,  25. 

to  impart  what  moral  instruction,  26. 

to  keep  record  of  pupils  vaccinated,  37. 

to  keep  registers  and  make  reports,  26. 

what  school  officers  ineligible  as,  26. 
Teachers'  certificates,  25. 

Teachers'  institutes,  appropriation  for,  how  expended,  30. 
Teachers'  money,  drawn  on  order  of  commissioner,  16. 

forfeiture  of,  15,  25. 

State  appropriation  to  be  denominated,  15. 

what,  and  how  used,  15. 
Tenure  of  office,  of  board  of  control  of  State  Home  and  School,  70. 

of  board  of  managers  of  R.  I.  College  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts  (R.  I. 
State  College),  42,  92. 

of  commissioner  of  public  schools,  12. 

of  school  committee,  17. 

of  State  board  of  education,  9. 

of  trustees  of  R.  I.  Institute  for  the  Deaf,  68. 
Text-books,  may  be  changed,  how,  24. 
bow  in  Providence,  24. 

receiving  or  offering  fees  for  exchange  of,  forbidden,  36. 

school  committee  to  place  in  school  rules  for  use  of,  22. 

to  be  furinshed  at  expense  of  town  or  city,  23. 


118  LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

Thanksgiving  Day,  appointment  of,  as  legal  holiday,  85. 
Time,  how  computed,  57. 
Town,  how  construed,  57. 

entitled  to  what  part  of  State  appropriation  for  schools,  15. 

entitled  to  State  aid  for  providing  high  school  facilities,  38,  97. 

may  build  schoolhouses,  17. 

may  consolidate  schools,  38. 

may  establish  and  maintain  free  public  libraries,  61. 

may  pay  tuition  for  high  school  facilities,  38. 

may  vote  money  for  free  library  not  its  own,  62. 

may  vote  money  for  schools,  61. 

power  of,  to  assess  ratable  property,  limited;  exceptions,  61,  62. 
to  incur  debt,  limited;  exceptions,  62. 

powers  and  duties  of,  relative  to  schools,  17,  38,  60. 

to  make  appropriation  for  free  public  library,  61,  63. 

to  maintain  schools,  17. 
Town  clerk,  how  construed,  57. 
Town  council,  how  construed,  57. 

to  elect  board  of  trustees  of  free  public  library,  63. 

to  fill  vacancy  in  school  committee,  18. 
Town  or  city  council  may  accept  gift  of  free  library,  63. 
Town  sergeant,  how  construed,  57. 
Town  treasurer,  construction  of  words,  57. 

custodian  of  all  school  money,  20. 

duties  of,  in  receiving  and  paying  school  moneys,  20. 

to  make  statement  to  committee,  20. 

to  report  to  school  commissioner,  20. 
Transportation  of  pupils,  39. 

Travelling  expenses  of  pupils  in  Normal  school,  money  for,  30. 
Travelling  libraries,  10. 

appropriation  for,  10. 

how  established  and  maintained,  10. 

payments  to,  how  made,  10. 
Truant  children  and  attendance  at  school,  31. 
Truant  officers,  duties  of,  32,  33. 

how  appointed,  32. 

may  serve  legal  processes,  33. 

to  demand  names  of  children  employed,  33. 

to  visit  all  places  employing  children,  33. 


INDEX.  119 

Truants,  district  courts  have  jurisdiction  of,  34. 

Truants,  may  be  committed  to  suitable  places  of  instruction,  34. 

may  be  placed  on  probation,  34. 
Trustees  of  free  public  library,  divided  into  classes,  63. 

elected  by  town  council,  63. 

to  have  charge  of  library,  63. 

vacancies  in,  how  filled,  63. 
Trustees  of  R.  I.  Institute  for  the  Deaf,  how  appointed,  68. 

how  constituted,  68. 
.  to  report  to  general  assembly,  69. 
Trustees  of  Rhode  Island  Normal  School,  how  constituted,  29. 

may  admit  pupils  for  tuition,  30. 

may  give  diplomas,  30. 

may  pay  travelling  expenses  of  pupils,  30. 

to  make  returns  to  general  treasurer  of  all  money  received,  30. 
Tuition  in  high  school,  town  may  pay,  38. 

United  States,  includes  what,  57. 
Union  of  schools,  38. 

Vacancy  in  board  of  control  of  State  Home  and  School,  how  filled,  71 . 

in  board  of  managers  of  college  of  agriculture,  (R.  I.  State  College),  how 
filled,  44,  93. 

in  board  of  trustees  of  R.  I.  Institute  for  the  Deaf,  how  filled,  68. 

in  office  of  trustee  of  free  puplic  library,  how  filled,  63. 

in  school  committee,  how  filled,  18. 

in  State  board  of  education,  how  filled,  9. 

Vaccination,  compulsory,  as  a  prerequisite  to  enter  school,  37. 
Violation  of  laws  relative  to  public  schools,  penalties  on,  25. 
Voluntary  associations,  how  formed,  86. 

Ward  clerk,  how  construed,  57. 

Washington's  birthday,  to  be  legal  holiday,  85. 

Words,  construction  of,  in  statutes,  56,  57.     See  Construction. 

Year,  how  construed,  57. 


• 


Rhode    Island    Education  Circulars 


LAWS   OF    RHODE    ISLAND 
RELATING   TO    EDUCATION 


SUPPLEMENT    NO.   I 
Acts  of  1910 


DEPARTMENT    OF    EDUCATION 

STATE    OF  RHODE  ISLAND 
1910 


PUBLIC  LAWS  OF  RHODE  ISLAND 
RELATING  TO  EDUCATION 


SUPPLEMENT  NO.    i. 


CHAPTER  403. 
AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OF   CHAPTER  87  OF  THE  GENERAL    Passed  April 

29,  1909. 

LAWS,  ENTITLED  "  OF  THE  STATE  HOME  AND  SCHOOL  FOR   ' 
CHILDREN." 

V 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.     Section  8  of  Chapter  87  of  the  General  Laws 
is  hereby  amended  so  as  to  read  as  follows : 

"SEC.  8.     It  is  declared  to  be  the  object  of  this  chapter  to  object  of  the 

school  to  be 

provide  for  neglected  and  dependent  children,  not  recognized  J£e  boSrd°f 
as  vicious  or  criminal,  such  influences  as  will  lead  toward  an 
honest,  intelligent  and  self-supporting  manhood  and  woman- 
hood, the  state,  so  far  as  possible,  holding  to  them  the  parental 
relation.  But  if  at  any  time,  in  the  discretion  of  the  board, 
this  object  can  be  better  attained  by  placing  a  child  in  a  good 
family  of  the  same  religious  belief  as  the  parents  of  such  child, 
they  shall  have  the  power  to  do  so  on  condition  that  its  educa- 
tion shall  be  provided  for  by  such  family  in  the  public  schools 
of  the  town  or  city  where  they  may  reside,  or  in  some  other  suit- 
able public  school  or  private  school.  The  board  are  hereby 
made  the  legal  guardians  of  all  children  who  may  become  in- 
mates of  the  home  and  school,  and  charged  with  the  duty  of 
following  such  children  as  may  be  placed  in  families,  with 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

watchful  care,  and  of  taking  them  back. to  their  own  immediate 
supervision  if  at  any  time  they  fail  to  receive  kind  and  proper 
treatment  and  fair  elementary  education;  and  in  case  any  child 
shall  leave  without  permission,  or  be  taken  by  any  person  un- 
authorized from  said  institution  or  from  any  family  where  it 
shall  have  been  placed  by  said  board,  then  said  board  is  hereby 
authorized  to  take  and  restore  said  child  to  said  institution  or 
to  the  family." 

SEC.  2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately,  and  all  acts 
and  parts  of  acts  inconsistent  herewith  are  hereby  repealed. 


CHAPTER  528. 

J£Pi9io.d  Mar*  AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OF  SECTION  5  OF  CHAPTER  201  OF  THE 
GENERAL  LAWS,  ENTITLED  "  OF  BILLS  OF  EXCHANGE  AND 
PROMISSORY  NOTES,  AND  OF  LEGAL  INTEREST." 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.     Section  5  of  Chapter  201  of  the  General  Laws 
is  hereby  amended  so  as  to  read  as  follows : 

Legal  holidays.-  "SEC.  5.  The  first  day  of  January  (as  New  Year's  day),  the. 
twenty-second  day  of  February  (as  Washington's  birthday), 
the  second  Friday  in  May  (as  Arbor  day),  the  thirtieth  day  of 
May  (as  Memorial  day),  the  fourth  day  of  July  (as  Independence 
day) ,  the  first  Monday  of  September  (as  Labor  day) ,  the  twelfth 
day  of  October  (as  Columbus  day),  the  Tuesday  next  after  the 
first  Monday  in  November  (as  State  Election  day),  the  twenty- 
fifth  day  of  December  (as  Christmas  day) ,  and  each  of  said  days 
in  every  year,  or  when  either  of  the  said  days  falls  on  the  first  day 
of  the  week  then  the  day  following  it,  the  first  day  of  every  week 
(commonly  called  Sunday),  and  such  other  days  as  the  governor 
or  general  assembly  of  this  state  or  the  president  or  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States  shall  appoint  as  holidays,  for  any  purpose, 


FACTORY    INSPECTION. 


days  of  thanksgiving,  or  days  of  solemn  fast,  shall  be  holidays." 
SEC.  2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  from  and  after  its  passage. 


CHAPTER  533. 
AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OF  CHAPTER  78  OF  THE  GENERAL      ™™ 


LAWS,    ENTITLED    "OF   FACTORY  INSPECTION,"   AND   ANY 
ACTS  IN  AMENDMENT  THEREOF  OR  IN  ADDITION  THERETO. 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.  Section  1  of  Chapter  78  of  the  General  Laws, 
1909,  entitled  "Of  Factory  Inspection,"  is  hereby  amended  so 
as  to  read  as  follows: 

"SECTION  1.  No  child  under  fourteen  years  of  age  shall  be 
employed  or  permitted  or  suffered  to  work  in  any  factory,  manu-  pToVed,  where. 
facturing  or  business  establishment  within  this  state,  and  no 
child  under  sixteen  years  of  age  shall  be  employed  or  permitted 
or  suffered  to  work  in  any  factory  or  manufacturing  or  business 
establishment  within  this  state  between  the  hours  of  eight  NO  child  under 

16  year  of  age 

o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  any  day  and  six  o'clock  in  the  fore- 

noon  of  the  following  day.     No  child  under  sixteen  years  of  age  oTs^R 

shall  be  employed  or  permitted  or  suffered  to  work  in  any  fac- 

tory or  manufacturing  or  business  establishment  unless  said 

child  shall  present  to  the  person  or  corporation  employing  him   ie°  years  o 

to  be  employed 

or  her  an  age  and  employment  certificate,  given  by  or  under  the  unless  an  age 

and   employ- 

direction  of  the  school  committee  of  the  city  or  town  in  which    jJ^ilSSflJy 
said  child  resides.     Such  certificate  shall  state  (a)  the  name  of  the  school  com- 
said  child,  (b)  the  date  and  place  of  birth  of  said  child,  (c)  the 
height,  color  of  eyes  and  hair,  and  complexion  of  said  child,  (d) 
the  name  and  place  of  residence  of  the  person  having  control  of 
said  child,  and  such  certificate  shall  certify  (1)  that  said  child 
has  completed  fourteen  years  of  age,  (2)  that  said  child  is  able  to 
read  at  sight  and  write  legibly  simple  sentences  in  the  English 


4  LAWS  RELATING  TO  EDUCATION. 

language,  and  (3)  that  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  said  child 
is  healthy  and  physically  able  to  perform  the  work  which  he  or 
she  intends  to  do.  The  statements  contained  in  such  certificate 
in  regard  to  the  name,  date  and  place  of  birth  of  said  child,  shall 
be  sustantiated  by  a  duly  attested  copy  of  the  birth  certificate, 
baptismal  certificate,  or  passport  of  such  child.  All  such  certif- 
icates issued  on  or  after  the  first  day  of  January,  A.  D.  1911, 
shall  be  uniform  throughout  the  state,  and  in  the  following  form, 
or  such  substantially  similar  form  as  may  be  approved  by  the 
secretary  of  the  state  board  of  education: 

AGE    AND    EMPLOYMENT    CERTIFICATE. 

Form  of  This  certifies  that  I  am  the  (father,  mother,  guardian,  or 

custodian)  and  have  control  of  (name  of  child),  whose  signature 
appears  below,  and  that  (he  or  she)  was  born  at  (name  of  town 
or  city),  in  the  county  of  ,  and  state  (or  country)  of 

,  on  the  (day)  of  (month),  A.  D. 

and  is  now  (number  of  years  and  months)  old. 

(Signature  of  child.)  (Signature  of  person  having  control 
of  said  child  and  his  or  her  residence). 

(Town  or  city  and  date.) 

I  hereby  approve  the  foregoing  certificate  of  (name  of  child) ; 
whose  height  is  (feet  and  inches) ;  eyes  are  (color) ;  hair  is  (color) ; 
and  complexion  is  (fair  or  dark). 

I  certify  that  said  (name  of  child)  is  able  to  read  at  sight  and 
write  legibly  simple  sentences  in  the  English  language,  and  that 
I  have  reason  to  believe  that  said  (name  of  child)  has  com- 
pleted fourteen  years  of  age,  is  of  the  age  therein  certified,  and  is 
healthy  and  physically  able  to  perform  the  work  which  he  or  she 
intends  to  do. 

This  certificate  belongs  to  (name  of  child),  and  is  to  be  sur- 
rendered to  (him  or  her)  whenever  (he  or  she)  leaves  the  ser- 
vice of  the  person  or  corporation  holding  the  same;  but  if  not 
claimed  by  said  child  within  two  weeks  from  such  time  it  shall 


FACTORY   INSPECTION. 

be  returned  to  the  school  committee  which  issued  it,  or  to  such 
person  as  such  committee  shall  designate. 

(Signature  of  person  authorized  to  approve  and  sign,  with 
official  character  or  authority.) 

(Town  or  city  and  date.) 

"  In  case  it  appears  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  school  committee 
or  person  authorized  to  give  such  certificate,  that  neither  the 
birth  certificate,  baptismal  certificate,  nor  passport  of  such  child 
can  be  produced,  the  age  and  employment  certificate  may  be 
granted  on  other  evidence  satisfactory  to  the  secretary  of  the 
state  board  of  education. 

"All  certificates  required  by  this  chapter  relating  to  the 
qualification  of  children  employed  in  any  factory  or  manu- 
facturing or  business  establishment  coming  under  the  provisions 
of  this  chapter  shall  be  kept  by  the  employer  at  the  place  where  c    .fi 
such  child  is  employed,  a^id  shall  be  shown  to  the  factory  in- 


specters  provided  for  by  this  chapter,  or  either  or  any  of  them, 

on  demand  by  said  inspector  or  inspectors;  and  the  proprietor 

or  manager  of  any  such  factory  or  manufacturing  or  business 

establishment  who  shall  fail  to  produce  or  shall  refuse  to  show 

to  any  factory  inspector  any  such  certificate  when  demand  is  Penalt  for 

made  therefor  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  on 

conviction  thereof  shall  be  punished  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than 

ten  nor  more  than  fifty  dollars. 

"Whenever  any  factory  inspector  shall  have  reason  to  doubt 
the  accuracy  of  any  statement  made  in  any  such  certificate  con- 
cerning the  age  or  other  qualifications  of  any  child  employed 
thereunder,  such  inspector  shall  demand  such  certificate  of  the 
employer  of  such  child,  and  upon  receiving  the  same  shall  give 
such  employer  a  receipt  therefor.  If  after  investigation  such 
inspector  shall  find  that  such  certificate  should  not  have  been 
issued  to  said  child  under  the  provisions  of  this  law,  then  he 
shall  deliver  such  certificate  to  the  person  who  issued  it,  and 
shall  order  it  to  be  cancelled,  and  shall  fortwith  notify  the  said 


6  LAWS   RELATING   TO    EDUCATION. 

employer  that  such  child  must  not  be  longer  employed.     Every 
employer  or  proprietor  or  manager  of  any  factory  or  manufac- 
Penait   for  the  Curing  or  business  establishment  who  shall  continue  to  employ 
prov/sk)ns0fofthe  such  child  after  receiving  such  notice  from  any  factory  in- 
spector shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  on  con- 
viction thereof  shall  be  subject  to  the  penalty  imposed  by  sec- 
tion 12  of  this  chapter. 

"  Whenever  any  factory  inspector  shall  have  reason  to  doubt 
that  any  child  employed  in  any  factory,  or  manufacturing  or 
business  establishment,  and  not  provided  with  an  age  and  em- 
ployment certificate,  has  reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  such 
factory  inspector  shall  make  demand  on  such  child's  employer 
that  such  employer  shall  either  furnish  him  within  ten  days  a 
certificate  of  age  issued  by  the  same  authority  and  based  on  the 
same  evidence  required  for  the  issuance  of  age  and  employment 
certificates,  or  shall  cease  to  employ*  such  child  or  permit  or 
suffer  such  child  to  work  in  such  factory  or  manufacturing  or 
business  establishment.  In  case  such  employer  shall  fail  to 
deliver  such  certificate  to  the  factory  inspector,  within  ten  days 
after  such  demand,  and  shall  thereafter  continue  to  employ  such 
child,  or  permit  or  suffer  such  child  to  work  in  such  factory  or 
manufacturing  or  business  establishment,  such  employer  shall 
be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  on  conviction  thereof 
shall  be  subject  to  the  -penalty  imposed  by  section  12  of  this 
chapter,  and  proof  of  the  making  of  such  demand  and  of  failure 
to  deliver  such  certificate  shall  be  prima  facie  evidence,  in  any 
prosecution  brought  for  a  violation  of  this  provision,  that  such 
child  is  under  16  years  of  age  and  is  unlawfully  employed. 
re*mn«3ton°de-  "When  any  child  employed  under  the  provisions  of  this 


within    section  leaves  his  or  her  employment,  the  person  or  corporation 
the  school  com-  by  whom  such  child  has  been  employed  shall,  on  demand  by  said 

mittee. 

child,  deliver  to  him  or  her  the  certificate  on  the  authority  of 
which  such  child  has  been  employed,  unless  such  certificate  has 
been  cancelled  as  hereinbefore  provided,  or  if  such  certificate  is 


GENERAL    PROVISIONS    RELATING    TO    PUBLIC    SCHOOLS. 

not  demanded  by  such  child,  shall,  within  two  weeks  after  said 
child  has  left  the  employment  of  said  person  or  corporation, 
send  said  certificate  to  the  school  committee  which  issued  it,  or 
to  such  person  as  the  school  committee  may  designate.  The 
school  committee  of  each  town,  or  such  person  as  the  school 
committee  may  designate  to  issue  the  certificate  provided 
for  in  this  section,  shall  keep  on  file  a  copy  of  each  certificate 
granted,  together  with  the  evidence  on  which  such  certificate 
was  granted." 

SEC.  2.  This  act  shall  take  effect  on  the  first  day  of  Sep- 
tember, A,  D.  1910,  except  as  to  the  requirement  respecting 
the  ability  of  the  child  to  read  at  sight  and  to  write  legibly 
simple  sentences  in  the  English  language,  which  requirement 
shall  take  effect  on  the  first  day  of  January,  A.  D.  1911,  and 
all  acts  and  parts  of  acts  inconsistent  herewith  are  hereby  re- 
pealed. 


CHAPTER  545. 

AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OF  AND  IN  ADDITION  TO  CHAPTER  74   £PP™JJd  April 
OF  THE  GENERAL  LAWS,  ENTITLED  "GENERAL  PROVISIONS    " 
RELATING  TO  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS." 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.     Chapter   74   of   the   General   Laws   is   hereby 
amended  by  adding  thereto  the  following  section : 

"SEC.  8.     Wheresoever  any  ungraded  school  has  been  or  Graded  schools 

to  receive  one 

shall  be  consolidated  with  a  graded  school,  there  shall  be  paid 
by  the  state  to  the  town  in  which  the  schools  are  situated  on ac- 
count  of  the  said  graded  school,  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars 
annually  for  each  school  so  consolidated,  the  same  to  be  used 
for  the  support  of  the  said  graded  school,  or  for  the  transpor- 
tation of  pupils  as  provided  for  by  section  7  of  this  chapter." 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

SEC.  2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  upon  its  passage,  and  all 
acts  and  parts  of  acts  inconsistent  herewith  are  hereby  repealed. 


CHAPTER  566. 
Approved  April  AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OF  AND  IN  ADDITION  TO  CHAPTER  71 

26,  1910. 

OF   THE    GENERAL    LAWS,    ENTITLED    "OF    THE    NORMAL 
SCHOOL,  TEACHERS'  INSTITUTES,  AND  LECTURES." 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.  Chapter  71  of  the  General  Laws,  entitled  "Of 
the  normal  school,  teachers'  institutes  and  lectures,"  is  hereby 
amended  by  adding  thereto  the  following  section : 

dSnto"other       "SEC.  8.     Such  sums  as  shall  be  from  time  to  time  appro- 
t£na??orause  of  priated  for  the  purpose  of  defraying  the  expenses  of  said  normal 

Normal  School. 

school,  together  with  such  other  sums  as  may  be  received  by 
said  normal  school  for  tuition  and  paid  into  the  treasury,  shall 
be  paid  by  the  general  assembly  for  the  use  of  said  normal  school ; 
and  the  state  auditor  is  hereby  directed  to  draw  his  orders  on 
the  general  treasurer  for  such  sums  as  shall  be  approved  by  the 
trustees  of  said  normal  school." 

SEC.  2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  on  and  after  its  passage. 


CHAPTER  567. 
Approved  April  AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OF  AND  IN  ADDITION  TO  CHAPTER  64 

27     1 Q1 0 

OF  THE  GENERAL  LAWS,  ENTITLED  "  OF  THE  COMMISSIONER 
OF  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS." 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.  Chapter  64  of  the  General  Laws,  entitle^  "Of 
the  commissioner  of  public  schools,"  is  hereby  amended  by  the 
addition  of  the  following  section : 


FACTORY    INSPECTION.  9 


' 


"SEC.  13.     The  commissioner  of  public  schools,  with  theap-  Commissioner 

of  Public 

proval  of  the  board  of  education,  is  hereby  authorized  and  em- 
powered  to  employ  an  assistant  commissioner  of  public  schools 
to  aid  said  commissioner  of  public  schools  in  the  discharge  of 
his  official  duties.  The  annual  salary  of  said  assistant  com-  salary  of. 
missioner  of  public  schools  shall  be  two  thousand  dollars,  which 
said  sum  is  hereby  annually  appropriated  from  any  money  in 
the  treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated;  and  the  state  auditor 
is  authorized  to  draw  his  order  upon  the  general  treasurer  to  pay 
the  same,  upon  receipt  by  him  of  properly  authenticated  vouch- 
ers. The  necessary  expenses  of  said  assistant  commissioner  of 
public  schools,  incurred  in  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties, 
shall  be  paid  by  the  general  treasurer,  upon  the  order  of  the 
state  auditor,  from  any  moneys  in  the  treasury  not  otherwise 
appropriated,  upon  receipt  by  said  state  auditor  of  properly 
authenticated  vouchers." 

SEC.  2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  on  and  after  July  first, 
1910. 


CHAPTER  576. 
AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OF  AND  IN  ADDITION  TO  CHAPTER  78   Approved 

April  29,   1910. 

OF  THE  GENERAL  LAWS,  ENTITLED  "OF  FACTORY  INSPEC- 
TION." 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.  Section  3  of  Chapter  78  of  the  General  Laws, 
entitled  "Of  factory  inspection,"  is  hereby  amended  so  as  to 
read  as  follows : 

"SEC.  3.     The  governor  shall,  upon  the  passage  of  this  act,  fpaecc\°07a£d 
and  in  the  month  of  January  of  every  third  year  hereafter,  ap-  how  appointed! 
point',  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  one  chief  and 
four  assistant  factory  inspectors,  one  of  whom  shall  be  a  woman, 


10  LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 

whose  term  of  office  shall  be  three  years  and  until  their  succes- 
sors shall  be  so  appointed  and  qualified :  Provided,  that  the  term 
of  office  of  the  present  factory  inspectors  shall  not  be  changed, 
and  that  .the  term  of  office  of  the  additional  factory  inspectors 
provided  in  this  act  shall  expire  in  January,  A.  D.  nineteen 
hundred  and  eleven,  or  upon  the  appointment  and  qualification 
of  their  successors.  Any  vacancy  which  may  occur  in  said 
offices  when  the  senate  is  not  in  session  shall  be  filled  by  the 
governor  until  the  next  session  thereof,  when  he  shall,  with 
the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  appoint  some  person  to 
TO  inspect  fac-  fill  such  vacancy  for  the  remainder  of  the  term.  Said  inspectors 

tories,   etc.,    re- 
port to  general  shau  be  empowered  to  visit  and  inspect,  at  all  reasonable  hours 

assembly,  en- 

chrap\er!Sand  and  as  often  as  practicable,  the  factories,  work-shops,  and  other 
Farton™  e  establishments  in  this  state  subject  to  the  provisions  of  this 
chapter,  and  shall  report  to  the  general  assembly  of  this  state 
at  its  January  session  in  each  year,  including  in  said  reports  the 
name  of  the  factories,  the  number  of  such  hands  employed 
and  the  number  of  hours  of  work  performed  in  each  week.  It 
shall  also  be  the  duty  of  said  inspectors  to  enforce  the  provi- 
sions of  this  chapter  and  prosecute  all  violations  of  the  same 
before  any  court  of  competent  jurisdiction  in  the  state. 

chief  inspector       "The  name  and  residence  of  any  child  found  working  with- 
iation?°orf  child  out  the  certificate  provided  for  in  section  one  of  this  chapter 

labor  law. 

shall  be  reported  by  the  chief  inspector  to  the  school  committee 
in  the  city  or  town  where  such  child  resides.  Said  inspectors 
shall  devote  their  whole  time  and  attention  to  the  duties  of  their 
respective  offices,  under  the  direction  of  the  chief  inspector. 
Salaries.  The  annual  salary  of  the  chief  inspector  shall  be  two  thousand 

dollars;    and  each  of  the  assistant  inspectors,  fifteen  hundred 
dollars." 

SEC.  2.     Section  4  of  said  Chapter  78  of  the  General  Laws 
is  hereby  amended  so  as  to  read  as  follows: 

sp*ctorrh°ofwn~       "  Sec.  4.     All  necessary  expenses  incurred  by  such  inspect- 
paid'  ors  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty  shall  be  paid  by  the  general 


STATEMENTS    TO    BE    RENDERED.  ll 

treasurer  out  of  any  funds  in  the  treasury  not  otherwise  ap- 
propriated, upon  the  presentation  of  proper  vouchers  for  the 
same  approved  by  the  governor:  Provided,  that  not  more  than 
twenty-three  hundred  dollars  in  the  aggregate  shall  be  expended 
by  said  inspectors  for  such  expenses  in  any  one  year." 


CHAPTER  582. 


AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OF  AND  IN  ADDITION  TO  CHAPTER    Approved 
44  OF  THE  GENERAL  LAWS. 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION    1.     Chapter   44   of   the   General   Laws   is   hereby 
amended  by  the  addition  of  the  following  section : 

''SEC.  42.     Every  officer,  board,  commission,  and  commis-  Bills  remaining 

unpaid  at  close 

sioner  for  which  an  appropriation  is  made  shall  annually,  on  of0rteedrtobstate 
or  before  the  tenth  day  of  January  of  each  year,  render  to  the  officer?,  Sards, 
state  auditor  a  complete  and  itemized  statement  of  all  bills  and 
accounts  incurred,  due  and  remaining  unpaid,  together  with  a 
statement  of  the  unexpended  balance  of  said  appropriation; 
and  the  state  auditor  is  hereby  directed  to  compile,  arrange,  and 
transmit  to  the  general  treasurer,  on  or  before  the  fifteenth  day 
of  January  of  each  year,  such  statements,  and  the  general  treas-  statements  of 

.  such  bills  to  be 

urer  is  hereby  directed  to  publish  such  statements  in  his  annual  published  by 

general  treas- 

report  to  the  general  assembly."  urer- 

SEC.  2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  from  and  after  its  passage. 


. 

T 


Rhode    Island    Education  Circulars 

LAWS   OF   RHODE    ISLAND 
RELATING   TO    EDUCATION 


SUPPLEMENT   NO,   II 
Acts  of  1911 


DEPARTMENT  OF  EDUCATION 

STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND 
191 1 


PUBLIC  LAWS  OF  RHODE  ISLAND 
RELATING  TO   EDUCATION 


SUPPLEMENT    NO.    II. 


CHAPTER  653. 

AN  ACT  CONCERNING  CERTIFICATES  ISSUED  UNDER  CHAPTER 
78  OF  THE  GENERAL  LAWS. 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.     The  requirement  of  Chapter  533  of  the  Public  Certificates 

issued  prior 

Laws,  passed  at  the  January  session,  A.  D.  1910,  respecting 
the  ability  of  the  child  to  read  at  sight  and  to  write  legibly  valid' 
simple  sentences  in  the  English  language,  shall  not  apply  to 
children  holding  certificates  lawfully  issued  prior  to  January  1, 
A.  D.  1911. 

SEC.   2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  from  and  after  its  passage. 


CHAPTER  678. 

AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OF  SECTION  8  OF  CHAPTER  63  OF  THE    Approved 
GENERAL  LAWS,  ENTITLED  "OF  THE  BOARD  OF  EDUCA-   APri125' BU- 
TTON." 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.  Section  8  of  Chapter  63  of  the  General  Laws, 
entitled  "Of  the  Board  of  Education"  is  hereby  amended  so 
as  to  read  as  follows; 


Travelling 
libraries,  how 
to  be  estab- 
lished and 
maintained . 


Appropriation. 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION 

"SEC.  8.  The  board  of  education  is  hereby  authorized  and 
empowered  to  establish  and  maintain  a  system  of  travelling 
libraries  within  the  state,  to  render  aid  to  libraries  which  estab- 
lish branch  or  visiting  libraries  in  schools  or  places  approved  by 
said  board,  and  to  render  aid  to  associations  which  operate 
travelling  libraries.  Said  board  is  hereby  authorized  and  em- 
powered to  provide  for  the  visitation  or  examination  of  free 
public  libraries  and  the  management  of  travelling  libraries, 
upon  such  conditions  and  in  such  manner  as  may  seem  proper 
to  said  board.  The  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars  is  hereby 
annually  appropriated  to  carry  into  effect  the  provisions  of 
this  section,  to  be  paid  by  the  general  treasurer  on  the  order  of 
the  state  auditor  upon  the  presentation  of  vouchers  approved 
by  said  board." 

SEC.  2.  For  the  purpose  of  carrying  this  act  into  effect  the 
sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  in  addition  to  the  sum  already 
appropriated,  is  hereby  appropriated  out  of  any  money  in  the 
treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated;  and  the  state  auditor  is 
hereby  directed  to  draw  his  orders  upon  the  general  treasurer 
for  the  payment  of  said  sum,  upon  the  presentation  of  vouchers 
approved  by  said  board. 

SEC.  3.     This  act  shall  take  effect  upon  its  passage. 


Approved 
April  25,  1911. 


CHAPTER  680. 

AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OF  SECTION  16  OF  CHAPTER  63  OF 
THE  GENERAL  LAWS,  ENTITLED  "  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  EDU- 
CATION." 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.  Section  16  of  CKapter  63  of  the  General  Laws, 
entitled  "Of  the  Board  of  Education,"  is  hereby  amended  so 
as  to  read  as  follows: 


LAWS    RELATING   TO    EDUCATION  3 

"  SEC.  16.     The  state  board  of  education  is  hereby  author-  Provisions  for 

the  instruction 

ized  and  empowered  to  provide  for  the  instruction  at  their  J^ent^offhis 

homes  of  adult  blind  residents  of  this  state  upon  such  conditions 

and  in  such  manner  as  may  seem  proper  to  said  board;  and  the 

sum  of  three  thousand  dollars  is  hereby  annually  appropriated 

for  the  purpose  of  carrying  the  provisions  of  this  section  into 

effect." 

SEC.  2.  For  the  purpose  of  carrying  this  act  into  effect  the  Appropriation, 
sum  of  five  hundred  dollars  is  hereby  appropriated,  out  of  any 
money  in  the  treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated;  and  the 
state  auditor  is  hereby  directed  to  draw  his  orders  upon  the 
general  treasurer  for  the  payment  of  said  sum  or  so  much  thereof 
as  may  be  necessary  upon  the  receipt  of  vouchers  properly 
authenticated  by  said  board. 

SEC.  3.  This  act  shall  take  effect  on  and  after  its  passage 
and  all  acts  and  parts  of  acts  inconsistent  herewith  are  hereby 
repealed. 


CHAPTER  725. 

AN  ACT  TO  PROMOTE  THE  HEALTH  OF  SCHOOL  CHILDREN.   A 

[ay  18.  1911. 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.     There   shall   be   an   annual   appropriation   for  Medical  inspec- 

.  .    .  tion  of  schools 

medical  inspection  of  schools  in  the  several  towns  and  cities  of  provided  for. 
this  state,  and  said  appropriation  shall  be  annually  apportioned 
by  the  state  board  of  education  among  towns  and  cities  con- 
forming to  the  provisions  of  this  act.  Any  town  or  city  pro- 
viding medical  inspection,  approved  by  the  state  board  of 
education,  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  annually  from  the  state 
appropriation  an  amount  equal  to  one-half  its  annual  expendi- 
ture for  such  purpose,  said  amount  not  to  exceed  two  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars.  The  school  committee  of  any  town  or  city 
may  employ  one  or  more  school  physicians,  each  of  whom  shall 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION 

at  least  once  each  year  make  examination  of  the  pupils,  teach- 
ers and  janitors  of  the  schools,  public  and  private,  assigned  to 
his  care  and  of  the  buildings  and  surroundings  thereof,  and 
shall  make  report  of  such  examination  to  the  superintendent  of 
schools  in  said  town  or  city  for  such  action  as  may  be  necessary. 
^EC<  ^'  Every  superintendent  of  schools  .shall  cause  an 

annuafvamined  examination  of  the  sight  and  hearing  of  all  children  of  the 
schools  under  his  supervision  to  be  made  at  least  once  a  year  by 
teachers  or  school  physicians,  and  shall  make  provision  for 
preserving  the  record  of  the  examination  of  such  children  and 
for  notifying  the  parents  of  defects.  The  commissioner  of 
public  schools  shall  furnish  to  superintendents  suitable  test 
cards  and  appliances  approved  by  the  state  board  of  health, 
and  such  blanks,  record  books,  and  rules  of  instruction  as  he 
may  deem  necessary. 

Board  of  educa-        SEC.  3.     The  state  board  of  education  from  time  to  time  shall 

tion  to  approve  .,.'••.•          ,         ,  •  .  M    ,  • 

sanitary  ar-        appro ve  proper  standards  of  lighting,  heating,  ventilating,  seat- 

rangements  of 

school  build-  jng^  an(j  Otner  sanitary  arrangements  of  school  buildings,  and 
proper  regulations  concerning  the  same  as  it  may  deem  necessary 
for  the  safety  and  health  of  persons  who  may  attend  school,  and 
shall  communicate  the  same  to  the  school  committee  of  each 
city  and  town  and  to  any  committee  of  any  body  having  charge 
of  the  erection,  alterations,  equipment  or  furnishing  of  any 
school  building. 

SEC.  4.     This  act  shall  take  effect  on  and  after  the  first  day 
of  September,  1911. 


LAWS   RELATING   TO    EDUCATION 


CHAPTER  726. 

O     /"kT?     r«TT  A  T)T<Tr'T>      GA      r\T?        . 

Approve* 
May  17,  1911. 


THE  GENERAL  LAWS,  ENTITLED  "OF  THE  COMMISSIONER 
OF  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS." 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  as  follows: 

SECTION  1.  Section  2  of  Chapter  64  of  the  General  Laws, 
entitled  "Of  the  commissioner  of  public  schools,"  is  hereby 
amended  so  as  to  read  as  follows : 

j.  2.     The   commissioner   of  public   schools,   with   the  Allowance  to 


commissioner 

approval  of  the  board  of  education,  is  hereby  authorized  and  of  public 

schools  for  cler- 

empowered  to  employ  clerical  assistance  to  aid  him  in  his  duties  ical  assistance. 
as  such  school  commissioner  in  a  sum  not  exceeding  seventeen 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  annually,  which  said  sum  of  seventeen 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  is  hereby  annually  appropriated  from 
any  money  in  the  treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated;  and 
the  state  auditor  is  authorized  to  draw  his  order  upon  the  general 
treasurer  to  pay  the  same  upon  receipt  by  him  of  properly 
authenticated  vouchers." 

SEC.  2.  For  the  purpose  of  carrying  this  act  into  effect  the 
sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  is  hereby  appropriated  in 
addition  to  the  sum  already  appropriated;  and  the  state  auditor 
is  hereby  directed  to  draw  his  order  upon  the  general  treasurer 
to  pay  the  same  upon  receipt  by  him  of  properly  authenticated 
vouchers. 

SEC.  3.  This  act  shall  take  effect  upon  its  passage  and  all 
acts  and  parts  of  acts  inconsistent  herewith  are  hereby  repealed. 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    EDUCATION. 


STATE  APPROPRIATIONS  OF  1911 


Public  schools,  " teachers'  money" $120,000  00 

Increase  of  teachers '  salaries 6,500  00 

School  apparatus 4,000  00 

Supervision  of  public  schools 15,000  00 

High  and  graded  schools 28,000  00 

Evening  schools 6,000  00 

Teachers '  institutes 500  00 

Lectures  and  addresses 300  00 

Examination  of  teachers 2,500  00 

Teachers '  pensions 30,000  00 

Education  of  blind  children 15,000  00 

Instruction  of  adult  blind 3,000  00 

Free  public  libraries 8,600  00 

Traveling  libraries  and  library  visitor 2,000  00 

Rhode  Island  Normal  School 64,000  00 

Mileage  for  pupils  of  Normal  School 4,000  00 

Rhode  Island  School  for  the  Feeble-Minded. 26,000  00 

Rhode  Island  School  of  Design 8,000  00 

Rhode  Island  State  College 25,000  00 

Rhode  Island  Institute  for  the  Deaf 28,000  00 

State  Home  and  School 40,000  00 

Historical  societies 2,000  00 

Humane  societies 7,300  00 


TC 


